What the O!
This week's edition of "What the O!" will be focused on the most popular questions I have been asked since coming to Omaha.
1) How have you been adjusting to the weather?
A: I haven't, it's freaking cold here! Last week I was talking to someone about how cold it was, and a deep bellow came from somewhere inside as he mocked me outright. "Just wait a few weeks, and then you will experience cold." I keep hearing that like everyone is proud of this fact, as if bitterly subarctic conditions were something to boast of. Let me tell you something, if the temperature is below 50, then rest assured that I am cold.
2) Why don't you have an accent?
A: Because I am from Austin, TX, home to roughly 1.5 million other people who also don't have an accent. I am not from the backwoods. I did not have horses in my backyard. I did not have a rebel flag on my front porch. My dad still has all of his teeth. I do not own a cowboy hat. And I do not drive a pickup truck. If you really want to hear someone with an accent, venture over to Mississippi or Alabama (or talk to James Chalmers).
3) How do you like the Mexican food here?
A: There's Mexican food here? Honestly, it's downright awful! I'm not so sure you can even call this stuff Mexican. Now granted, I have only eaten at two places around town, but I have not gotten off to a good start. And allow me to let you in on a little-known fact: In Texas we have our own kind of Mexican food - properly termed TexMex, and it is some kind of awesome! Sometime in the near future, Debbie Walker and I will have you over and show you what some good fajitas taste like. Side note: El Alamo is the worst name for a Mexican food joint I can think of.
4) How do you like it around the office?
A: Besides my staff-assigned to-do-board that includes running a seven-miler and taking a Myers-Briggs test, I love it!
5) What happened to your eye?
A: I refused to run the seven-miler.
1) How have you been adjusting to the weather?
A: I haven't, it's freaking cold here! Last week I was talking to someone about how cold it was, and a deep bellow came from somewhere inside as he mocked me outright. "Just wait a few weeks, and then you will experience cold." I keep hearing that like everyone is proud of this fact, as if bitterly subarctic conditions were something to boast of. Let me tell you something, if the temperature is below 50, then rest assured that I am cold.
2) Why don't you have an accent?
A: Because I am from Austin, TX, home to roughly 1.5 million other people who also don't have an accent. I am not from the backwoods. I did not have horses in my backyard. I did not have a rebel flag on my front porch. My dad still has all of his teeth. I do not own a cowboy hat. And I do not drive a pickup truck. If you really want to hear someone with an accent, venture over to Mississippi or Alabama (or talk to James Chalmers).
3) How do you like the Mexican food here?
A: There's Mexican food here? Honestly, it's downright awful! I'm not so sure you can even call this stuff Mexican. Now granted, I have only eaten at two places around town, but I have not gotten off to a good start. And allow me to let you in on a little-known fact: In Texas we have our own kind of Mexican food - properly termed TexMex, and it is some kind of awesome! Sometime in the near future, Debbie Walker and I will have you over and show you what some good fajitas taste like. Side note: El Alamo is the worst name for a Mexican food joint I can think of.
4) How do you like it around the office?
A: Besides my staff-assigned to-do-board that includes running a seven-miler and taking a Myers-Briggs test, I love it!
5) What happened to your eye?
A: I refused to run the seven-miler.
posted by Kendal | 2:30 PM
15 Comments:
Kendal, you are right about mexican food in Omaha. It's not fit for much. The only place to get excited about is... Roja. Been there? You need to go. They have a great fish taco. While not every eating establishment is as stellar as Runza, I think you may find some options. :>
Kendal IS right: Tex-Mex in TEXAS is like no other. And, barbeque worthy of Texas cannot be found in Omaha. Sorry. If you don't believe me, taste one of these: http://www.gobblegobble.com/
The accent: do you realize that you don't have an accent because Austin is diverse? And really, it's because people from Omaha (and all over the world) move there and do their best to clear out the twang. :)
Fantastic new O post, Kendal!
Leigh
(I still sing "Texas, Our Texas" to my two Texan kids on occasion. They must know of their rich heritage!)
"I am not from the backwoods. I did not have horses in my backyard. I did not have a rebel flag on my front porch."
But you do have the state tattooed on your arm. Questionable....
Suzanne
I think you hit a sore spot with Suzanne. She DOES have horses in her backyard.
That's all I'm saying...
Touche Suzanne.
That's funny, I was just in San Antonio 2 weeks ago. I had some really awful Mexican food and, at the end of the week, I was still trying to figure out what is so awesome about 85* weather in October. I would take a day like today over that any day. You just give it a year and you'll feel the same way!! October is supposed to be chilly and blustery. Don't worry, and mark my word, the first 50* weather we have in April, you'll be wearing shorts because it WILL feel warm. Victoria
Tex-Mex - Have you been to Stokes? 114th & Dodge in the Miracle Hills shopping center. It's my favorite restaurant in town. Rojas is my husband's favorite (chicken asada tacos), but EVERYTHING at Stokes is amazing - trust me.
Kris M
Correction regarding Stokes. EVERYTHING is not amazing. Skip the chili rellenos.
Kris M
Actually, Roja's is my favorite OMAHA texmex; my favorite texmex places are in Texas - Erma's, Mi Cocina's, Pappasito's and Mi Tierra's. Oh... I need to get back to Texas.
Husband of Kris M.
Leigh,
There is one barbeque joint in the metro that I would put up against anybody in the country. Amarillo's on Fort Crook Rd. in Bellevue is more than worth the trip. It seems to be a secret in Omaha, but every country western star that has ever come through town has eaten there and signed their wall. They may not know music, but they should know their barbeque. Get the ribs - you won't be disappointed.
I am so very hungry right now.
Nick
Clatty,
The fact that you called them "country western stars" clearly displays your lack of engagement in the country music scene. We haven't called it "country western" since Hank Williams died, and that was a long time ago.
Attn: Members of Coram Deo indie-fabulous music crowd. Repent of your disdain for country music and, out of faith, go buy a Big and Rich CD.
Kendal, keep up the posts. It is good to get a foreigner's perspective on Omaha.
Thanks, Nick and Andy! Between the barbeque tip and call to repentance over country music hatred, the world seems like a better place today. I do like country music.
Victoria, I agree with you on weather. I never loved October so much as I do every year in Omaha. But, I am wondering if you ate at La Mesa's sister restaurant in San Antonio. I don't blame your strong reaction if this is the case. :)
Leigh
I do have horses in my backyard. What are you implying?
And Runza is a regional treasure, Leigh. Don't be hatin'.
:-)
I gotta remember to use the smiley, lest people take me seriously on this thing. My apologies for the omission on my last post.
~Suzanne
Try Red Zone BBQ at 120th and Blondo for the best Beef Brisket and Hot Links I've ever had. I know Memphis is known for pulled pork but I was not able to find a better brisket even with six months in Memphis.
I can think of worse things to have tattoed on your arm...Maybe.
Wait for a frosty morning to run that seven-miler, then you too can feel the pride of mocking the subartic conditions. Then, in a fit of patriotic fervor, you can get Nebraska tattoed on your other arm.
preferably large enough to see both branches of the platte river
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