As this will be my 35th consecutive Valentine's Day without a valentine, I suppose I should be bitter. I should be resentful. I should be resigned to the fact that my heart was meant solely for utility, for the pitiful, life-sustaining function of pumping oxygenated blood through the veins and auxiliary vessels of this overgrown carcass. And yet, I'm not...not yet anyway.
Nothing gives this lonely (not to mention enlarged) heart secondary reason for beating like a beautiful, big, blue sky playing backdrop to a novelty neon sign. In this season of love, I'm practically palpitating at the charm of Cupid's Burgers & Tacos' chubby cherub taking careful aim at the hearts of generations of Corona, CA's most ardent burger-and-taco lovers.
Cupid's Burgers & Tacos - Corona, CA
Both the building and the sign have undergone makeovers since the
'60s - if only to keep up with inflation (24¢ hamburgers??? I'll take two
dozen!). But we give much credit to the current owners for maintaining
the spirit and integrity of a sign that continues to brilliantly light up the
California night sky.
(Source)
Given all that we know about saturated fats and high-caloric intake, it seems easy to interpret Cupid's aim at our hearts all too literally. As the poet laureate of New Jersey so eloquently stated, "Shot through the heart and you're to blame. Darlin', you give love a bad name." However "darlin'" it may be, Cupid's Burgers & Tacos is probably not the most heart-friendly where anatomy and physiology are concerned. It is enough to have nay-saying heart surgeons everywhere shouting, "Stupid Cupid!"
But at wacky tacky, we know better, don't we? In the very heart of town, the sign at Cupid's Burgers & Tacos has weathered the changing times, the changing attitudes, and the changing health fads. We hope that when no one remembers what it meant to be "gluten free," those golden arrows will have sign lovers everywhere singing with one accord, "Stupid Cupid, START picking on me!"
"Stupid Cupid" - Connie Francis
Here's wishing you wacky tacky lovers a Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Cupid's Burger & Tacos
623 E 6th St
Corona, CA
(951)893-5523
Sorry, that last blog really took it out of me and I'm lagging a bit on the next/final installment of our Spain adventure. Until then, how about some hot jacks? Flap cakes?
How do you feel about the word "retarded?" Frankly, I use it far too often but sometimes it is such an apt description of my social behavior, that another adjective just doesn't cut the mustard. During my recent foray into performing in front of huge crowds of people, a friend paid me a great compliment by saying that she couldn't detect an ounce of fear or awkwardness in my countenance...that is because I save it all for interpersonal interaction. I am shy, and meeting people or engaging in small talk is much more nerve wracking than public speaking - or singing for that matter. Don't get me wrong, I'm not all sweaty-palmed and tongue tied; I try to be cool. I don't think I embarrass myself too much but it is definitely an area in my life that could endure a good measure of improvement. I figure the only way to improve is to practice. So, I skipped what I learned about "baby steps" from Bill Murray in What About Bob? and, taking a huge leap, I did something that I, under normal circumstances, would never do; I went out to eat - by myself! Having heard great things about the Silver Dollar Pancake House, I decided to make may way out to Corona, CA.
Dining alone, in and of itself, took me a great distance outside of my comfort zone. A true masochist at heart (I guess I love testing my tolerance for misery), I took things a step further by changing barstools and inviting people to sit next to me AND striking up a conversation with the couple to my left. I was a MADMAN!!! I couldn't help being Mr. Congeniality at Silver Dollar; the Cheers theme song has spoiled the sentiment, but sometimes you do want to go where everybody knows your name.
Cheers Theme Song
I tell you I stuck out like a sore thumb when I first sat down at the horseshoe-shaped counter because everyone there was a regular and on familiar terms with the whole staff. It didn't take long for me to feel welcomed and included in the pancake house community.
The Silver Dollar Pancake House is a bit of comeback kid. Opened in 1922 and operating under a few different names over the years, SDPH has faced two devastating fires in the last twenty years. Committed to keeping the landmark restaurant open for the people of Corona, the current ownership rebuilt each time and continues to serve breakfast all day (among other coffee shop favorites).
On my quest to expand my capacity for the unusual, I did something else that was highly unusual for me - I ordered breakfast. Luncheon food is my bag but I figured it would only be appropriate to order pancakes (not my favorite food by a long shot) while supping at Silver Dollar. I decided to order the house special (the Silver Dollar Special) and I tell you, it continued the pattern of "firsts." That meal was my first meal in a very long time where there was just too much food. My sausage fingers just tremble at the mere typing of those words "too much food;" who's ever heard of such a thing? Even I, Honorary Co-President of the West Coast Chapter of the Clean Plate Club, couldn't finish all the food they brought me.YIKES!!!
Eggs, salsa, bacon AND sausage.
My new pal, Doug, asked me if I was taking pictures
to show the doctor why my heart had stopped.
I got the pineapple pancakes. (Kind of weird that the "Silver Dollar Special"
at the Silver Dollar Pancake House does NOT come with silver dollar pancakes, right?)
They were about as huge as my face and not too dissimilar
in complexion. Can you believe that they wanted to put a mountain of
whipped cream on top of this?!!! Except for lactose intolerance in the
extreme, I probably would have taken them up on the kind offer!
My adventure into breakfast was a success; the food was delicious and the people were cool. In spite of the fires and subsequent contemporary/country decorating missteps, there is plenty of old-timey fixturing and finishes to earn Silver Dollar Pancake House the wacky tacky seal of approval. Most of that honor is due to the friendly atmosphere and small town nature of the little Pancake House that could.
If there is one thing that wacky tacky loves more than decorative
block , it is decorative block painted sea green!
If you're driving through Corona and you need a bite to eat, just belly up to the old horseshoe and grab yourself a seat!!!
Silver Dollar Pancake House
710 6th St
Corona, CA
(951)737-5977
