Kitsch-en Kounter: Mexican Corn Dogs

This post is bound to get me in deep "caca" with my sister-in-law, our resident expert on Mexican food/heritage/culture/arts.  Developing a new recipe based on one of Mexico's greatest dietary legacies should have warranted a consultation; however, when culinary inspiration strikes, even familial ties must be cast by the wayside in order to perfect the next big taste sensation.  Forgive me sis...

One part of Southern California's greatness is its propinquity to Mexico.  Members of California's relatively-minute Minteman population would probably take great umbrage with that statement until caught stuffing their greedy faces with carne asada tacos and holiday tamales.

Just about every friend of mine either born in Mexico or born of Mexican heritage (and plenty born in/of neither) look forward to the holiday season with singular purpose; the holidays mean one thing - TAMALES!  Every year, the production line begins with the preparation of the masa, the soaked corn husks, the various fillings, the wrapping, the steaming, and ends with empty plates and distended, yet grateful, bellies.  This year we missed the opportunity to attend any pre-Christmas tamale parties, leaving a gaping hole in my holiday and my heart.  

It's tamale time!!!
I'm not too proud to use prepared masa from the Mexican market.

Convinced that all of the other coronary-inducing food I've ingested this season was simply not enough, I determined that Mr. Tiny's Tamale Shop needed to hang its shingle.  I'd been kicking a few ideas around of interesting tamale fillings but could not get past the concept of a Mexican Corn Dog - a HOT (Dog) TAMALE!

HOT (Dog) TAMALES!!!
Okay, so my Mexican Corn Dogs may not be featured on the cover of Food & Wine Magazine.  They may not be the next food truck gimmick and they may not be winning any beauty contests at the next Oaxaca State Fair, but they were actually pretty tasty.  As per usual, I made a few missteps along the way, but I think I'll have the proper technique mastered by next year.  Variations on the plain tamale dog include tamale dog with cheese, tamale dog with chile and cheese, and tamale dog smothered in chili con carne.  The inspiration for next year would combine tradition with wacky tacky with Mexican-inspired street food - the bacon-wrapped tamale dog!!!

Halfway through the process I started thinking that perhaps it would be best to leave the cooking of "authentic" Mexican cuisine to authorities on the subject; then I thought better of it.  wacky tacky always wishes to push the corn husk a little bit further and build on the interesting culinary traditions of other cultures.  At the very least, we can help people who don't live in the land of Mexican plenty to understand that food from south of the border is far more than tacos, enchiladas, and beans.

"Tacos, Enchiladas, and Beans" - Doris Day

(This is some kind of promotional video for a restaurant/food distributor 

or something, but it was the only video on youtube for this song) 

My sis-in-law and I can agree on a number of major issues but I seriously doubt that we'll ever be on exactly the same page when it comes to tamales - or tacos, enchiladas, and beans.  Buen Provecho and Feliz Año Nuevo!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Chow Time: Chili John's

I have always dreamed about owning my own cafe.  I will freely admit that it has as much to do with The Whistle Stop Cafe of Fried Green Tomatoes fame as it does with the joy I find in preparing simple, tasty food.  I would LOVE to do some old-fashioned cooking for a manageable crowd in an old-fashioned setting.  For not really being an outgoing, people-person type, I really enjoy interacting with folks on a level that is afforded by a more intimately-scaled establishment.  Much like the best kind of grandmother, I truly love feeding people.  Fortunately there are still places that show me that my dreams are more than just the stuff of literary and movie land magic.  Chili John's in Burbank, CA is proof that a little bowl of heaven can still be had - even in Los Angeles. 

"As you like it"

The original Chili John's is in Greenbay, WI and has been serving
 hungry chili-philes at various locations for over 100 years!

The menu at Chili John's is small and at first glance, it seems like the options may be limited.  Tut, tut, given all of the possible combinations, variety abounds.  There are three kinds of chili - veggie, beef (spicy or mild), and chicken;  because we were newbies, they allowed us a sample of each kind.  Each tasty in its own right, I preferred the chicken.  Your choice of chili can be served over pink beans, spaghetti, rice, a tamale, a hot dog, or unadorned on a pillowy bun.  In fact, the menu boasts three different sandwich options but upon closer inspection, they are all exactly the same thing (chili on a bun) with the exception being the sandwich that offers additional "bean juice."  Mmmmmmm...bean juice.

Crackers, onions, peppers, and hot sauce are available to every diner

Chicken chili over beans and spaghetti with onions and oyster crackers.
DID YOU KNOW that John "Chili John" Issac, the Lithuanian immigrant behind the chili,
 was also integral in creating the oyster cracker?  Working with an executive at Nabisco,
he developed a spoon-size cracker to eat with his chili!  Since then, a carafe of oyster
 crackers has stood at the ready for every Chili John's diner.

Mary's monster mess!
Veggie chili with rice, cheese, and sour cream.
Be warned, Mary liked the veggie chili but she wasn't too fond of the rice;
it was filled with fennel seeds.  Sensing her dislike, they promptly
replaced the rice with beans and a chili refill!

Only twenty four seats in the whole place,
all of them stools around a horseshoe counter.

Chili John's is famous for it's pie too.
They have two kinds - lemon and pineapple; both are pudding-like with a graham
 cracker crumb base and whipped-cream topping.  Because I am supremely intolerant
of lactose (among other things), they brought Mary a mini slice for free!!! 

In the corner, they had a cool, succulent terrarium on a cracked ice dinette table.
Did they know we were coming?!!!

Perhaps this was the most poorly timed post considering all of the recent Thanksgiving indulging, but I think enough time has passed to where the leftovers are gone and you're ready to start thinking about food again.  Plus, they don't have turkey chili at Chili John's, so I figured it was safe.  If you're ever in the Burbank area, stop by for some chili "as you like it," or take some home!

Chili John's of California

2018 W Burbank Blvd

Burbank, CA

(818)846-3611

www.chilijohnsca.com

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

p.s. Don't forget to enter our AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!!

Chow Time: Ramon's Cactus Patch

Ramon's Cactus Patch is a family run restaurant that has been serving the people of Ontario and the surrounding environs for 75 years - that is a long time by any standard.  Given its age, one might expect time-honored recipes rich in flavor and authenticity.  That is not quite the case at Ramon's; it is more the kind of eatery where the garnish is iceberg and the queso, Velveeta.  I am not an authority on Mexican food and I certainly couldn't describe the culinary variances from state to state, but I must say that Ramon's seems more reflective of Depression-era practicality and economy rather than the genuine flavors of old Mexico.

The Cactus Patch

I know, that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, but stay with me.  The food may be more like the kind that my abuelita (of Swiss extraction by way of East Canton, Ohio) used to make, but that isn't to say that the food isn't tasty.  I particularly liked the chips and salsa.  We actually went to Ramon's based on the hearty testimonials of two friends, both of whom grew up in the area, and one of whom had parents eating there the very night we went.  I think nostalgia played a big part in their recommendation as the online reviews vary greatly and are particularly favorable when the source is a patron who was "raised on Ramon's."  As is the case with most wacky tacky eateries, the food is only a small portion of the appeal and from the looks of it, everything was coming up succulents at the Cactus Patch!

Ramon's Cactus Patch is housed in, of all the things, a house!!
 The homey appeal was definitely there and the staff was warm and inviting.

Originally opened in 1937 in downtown Ontario's Orange Hotel, Ramon's Cactus Patch found its current home in 1962.  We stepped through the front door and immediately I noticed that the interior was nothing but wall-to-wall wacky tacky works of art; Ramon's was already becoming a hit in my book!

But really...you had me at glitter ceiling!!!

Further evidence that RCP was once a residence is the
beautiful Living Room that is used for additional dining
space.  Don't you love the fireplace and the exposed
 beams?  That, plus a commercial kitchen...I'm ready to move in!

If you needed any more proof that RCP was a home, go wash your hands in the restroom.
It is still fully outfitted with a bathtub.  Just in case you were overcome with the mad desire
 to strip down and get clean, the management has covered the tub to keep you from
 embarrassing yourself in public.

I love that "Common decency" supercedes "State law."
I wish the people I work with would get decent!!!
 Fortunately, I'm not in the food service industry.

Now that our hands were clean, we could get down to the grubbin'.

Bob and the RCP menu.  He was so happy with the chicken taco he ordered,
 that I missed the opportunity to get a picture.  Apparently, the beef taco is
 a burger patty in a taco shell - I didn't find that out until after we had ordered!!!

Cheese Enchilada

Combo Burrito

Tostada

I really liked the dishes - not so much the food, as the actual serving pieces

RCP really did feel like going to grandma's for dinner.
It definitely had a timeless quality to it, which is reflected in this clock
 that read 1:50 and I know we were there at about 7:30!

In the end, I really liked Ramon's Cactus Patch.  I love places that have served a community for so long that they have become institutions and rich sources of nostalgia.  Again, the food was definitely not the best I've ever tasted, but it did a body good to sit in a home and enjoy the same hearty food that has been faithfully served to generations of happy families.  If you're ever in the area, you should stop in and grab a bite - especially if you've got a hankering for some Velveeta!

Ramon's Cactus Patch
647 W California St
Ontario, CA
(909)984-3130




Cheers & Buen Provecho!

Mr. Tiny