October 14. Lunch In Barstow, California, At Plata's Mexican Food.

Mr. Hawthorne and I left Fresno this morning, October 14, on our way to Las Vegas. Why, Las Vegas? I don't know. The best answer I can come up with is that it's on the way. To where? Not sure. But, Vegas is in the plans. Sometimes, our path on this journey just lays itself out by itself. This is one of those times. It's lunchtime and I'm checking out the Garmin for suggestions. We had stopped in Barstow for gas and there's a Mexican place right down the road. Plata's. I make a judgment call and off we go.

So it ain't much to look at on the outside. I've usually found that this type of place hides something inside that's worth finding. Such was the case today.

Click to enlarge the menus.

After checking out the bathroom, I walked back in to our seats and noticed on the left there was a setup with fried tortilla chips and three different types of salsas. All COMPLIMENTARY! Thank goodness I went to the bathroom, else I never would have seen these wonderfulnesses.

Crispy, puffy, warm chips. So good.

Three different salsas. A green - perhaps tomatilla. Oh so good. A pool of red salsa. Lovely. And a chunky salsa with I think meat it in. Excellent.

Mr. Hawthorne jumped in first and ordered what I wanted - the Super Nachos. Chips, tomatoes, jalapenos, a cheese sauce, shredded beef, bacon, guacamole, cilantro, and some other stuff that was TO-DIE-FOR. I've got to recreate this.

I had the chili rellenos with cheese burrito. Pure heaven. I've got to get on a Mexican kick when I get back home. I have Rick Bayliss cookbooks. I have Diana Kennedy cookbooks.. There's actually an Hispanic market on the Outer Banks with lots of spices I've never heard of and have no idea how to use. I'm on my way.