These car foods were not enough! (1/3 juice, apple, larabar cashew cookie)
Or rather, they should have been but I missed an exit (or rather, I made the exit but missed the second exit!) and was very late getting to Hillsborough for dinner! I went 18 miles out of my way before I noticed the mistake. BUMMER!
Lots of water was consumed. My thirst is out of control these days! Blood volume must be crankin’ up.
Before I left town I went by to say goodbye to Kanz and strategically sweetly asked if he would put air in my tires. My dad taught me to do this when I was 16 and I endured about 8 years of checking and getting air. One of my most hated chores on the earth! And then I got married and it’s one of the great perks of matrimony. Thanks Kanz!
When I arrived in Hillsborough, famished and excited to see Lillis Billis, mom and I walked downtown to check out the restaurant scene. We almost ate at Gulf Rim, one of my favs, and then almost ate at Saratoga, another fabulous hometown establishment, but then I remember Bandido’s!
It’s the best Mexican place ever! I remember in the golden days when it first opened my friends and I would go for the cheapest item on the menu: the cheese quesadilla appetizer. It came with a pile of “salad” and sour cream on the side.
So many fun memories here! What amazed me most about tonight’s dinner was the taste memories. The atmosphere was a bit different, but the flavors were exactly the same! Not to be gross, but Bandido’s has a different taste than all other Mexican restaurants I’ve been to. It’s lighter in some ways and they seem to use more cilantro or something!?
My #1 reason for coming was the chips and salsa. Bandido’s has excellent salsa with minimal onionage.
Hunger tamed! I am not much of a salsa lover due to the strong onion/garlic taste, but tonight I was more into the salsa than the chips. (But have no fear, the onions had zero appeal. It was the tomato + cilantro spice I was into).
And I couldn’t resist the same old cheese quesadilla of my glory days.
It tasted exactly the same!!!! Wonderfully cheesy with a pile of “salad” plus guac, sour cream and cheese.
Beans + rice on the side. This was the best meal I had all week!
This meal left me even thirstier than ever – and with zero room for dessert! And my dad has 3 boxes of V-day chocolates too!! Just no more room in there.
Mom and I stopped into the church hall on our walk home where all of the adults from my childhood church were gathering for some bluegrass and potluck. It was fun to see all of the church folks I grew up with – especially with my new physical state! The women said they could see a tiny bump growing : )
Lillis and I are curled up on the couch, but I’m ready to head up to my old bedroom!
[email protected] says
Your posts these days leave me wanting oozy gooey melted cheese! Say hi to the ‘rents for me.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
haha why is it gross to say it has a different taste? I always got the cheese quesdilla when I was little, I refused to eat any real mexican food. Now I love it! Enchiladas are my favorite! Have a great weekend at home!
KathEats says
Haha – well I was going to elaborate on the taste in my mouth right and then decided not to. It’s more of a Bandito’s aftertaste – which sounds gross!!
Lynn @ the actor's diet says
I’m a proud feminist but I love having my husband fill my tires with air.
faith says
So true, I’m a little shocked at the stereo-typical roles my husband and I have taken on but I still have no interest in cleaning gutters! I’d much rather be in the kitchen!
Tiffany says
aww very cute! Glad you had a great time 🙂
Where do you get mini Larabars?
By the way have you tried the cappuccino flavor? It taste like a decadent velvety tiramisu!! yum!
Megan says
I just purchase the cappuccino flavor 2 days ago. I can’t wait to try it!
Tiffany says
I bought one then the next day I went back to whole foods and bought 6 more lol!
KathEats says
They were leftover from a blog swag bag or a race or something. Very old – too old!
I have tried the Capp. and it’s great, but I’m scared to eat it after noon because of the caffeine
Kelly says
Ahhh, no pics of Lillie Billis? She soooo cute
KathEats says
I’ll take some today!
Lexi @ Cura Personalis Foodie says
Mexican food = cheese love affair. So good! And I’ll gladly take any onions you don’t want 😉
Heidi Bundles Of Hugs says
That looks sooooooo good! I love mexican food 🙂 Are you not a fan of onions? When I was preggers with my son I hated onions but normally loved them…
KathEats says
No, not a fan at all! I’ve never liked them and have a keen sense of taste and smell so they are magnified 1000% in grassy taste/aroma
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I let someone else check my tires…that was actually a conversation I was having with some friends just yesterday. I’ll check the oil, but I’d rather someone else do my tires. haha!
Khushboo says
Your food always sparks a craving and gives me some direction for my next meal…up next: melted cheese!
Angel7 says
There is nothing better than visiting my parents! We were just there the other day, and it felt so good to be there, because I was sooo homesick and pregnant, too 🙂 After a visit for a few days, it makes it a little easier to live a ways away!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
[email protected] says
I was thirsty all the time while pregnant! It’s a good thing, though- more water= less stretch marks!
Kerry @ Totes My Oats says
Sounds like an amazing night! That Mexican looks great – I want a bite of the quesadilla!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I’ve been there! One of my fav places to eat when at Duke for work 🙂
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
chips, salsa, quesadillas…that sounds perfect! And revisiting an old fave restaurant, always a bonus!
Emily says
I love your blog!! This is my first time posting, but I was wondering who makes the green water bottle you have, it is so cute!
KathEats says
Thank you!
It’s called KOR: http://www.korwater.com/
Robyn @ Blueberries and Oats says
Aww what a wonderful food memory. <3 I love that taste can make us remember the good ol' days!
Emily says
ah this post got me craving mexican food…i convinced my mom to go to my fav mexican restaurant tomorrow for dinner immediately after reading it 🙂 mmm i can already taste the chips and salsa….
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
I love bluegrass! And I love Mexican. I was just saying to my husband that its the one cuisine I could live on 24/7 if I had to do so.
In fact, I had it tonight. With black beans too. And I have left overs for tomorrow, cuz I had huevos rancheros. 😉
Joie says
Did you mean bandidos?
Jul says
hahah yea i noticed that too…the menu says Bandido’s
Mom says
I can never spell it either. Kath and I must learn to get it right!
louie says
BUT, if writing is your income, wouldn’t you make the effort to get it right?!
KathEats says
Yes, my bad. We pronounce it with a T here!
Laura says
I don’t want to sound overly critical or hateful, but I am curious if your blog is ever going to get more interesting. I have read fairly consistently for a few years now, but I think I am going to have to stop. I don’t want to be mean, but I felt that your 1+ year of mundane variations on oatmeal has now just turned into 3x a day of you justifying your pregnant food craving du jour. We get it. Surely you don’t think this content will keep you employed indefinitely?
mel says
To each her own! I love the blog Kath and have been a reader for years. I will continue to read for years and I love the direction your blog is headed. I can’t wait for your baby to arrive! I think this commment may be referring to the fact that you live your normal life and blog about it, instead of going on tons of free trips, retreats, etc. I actually applaud that. have a good day
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
If you don’t like it you don’t have to announce it. Just find a new blog to read.
Becca says
Clearly not everyone feels the way you do. Kath has thousands of visitors daily and we regular readers keep coming back because we do find it enjoyable.
Maybe send Kath an email (in private) about your feelings/thoughts because it seems awfully mean to make such a harsh comment in front of all the people who LOVE the blog.
Karen says
Kath has already explained that she has a clear vision for her blog; she follows her own muse. Why must you insist on bullying her and infecting this cheerful environment she has created for those of us who appreciate her sensibility?
Lisa says
No need to fret, folks. This person is merely a troll who is here to stir something up. They clearly derive a sick pleasure in their attempt to hurt others. I am fairly certain that Kath has more grace in her pretty little pinky than this individual. She always handles herself with dignity and class. These trolls are all over the blogging world. Sad, but true .
Christina says
Your troll comment was better than hers!
Em (Wine and Butter) says
I might get pregnant simply to avoid that ‘slight guilt’ feeling I always get when passing up chicken tacos for a big old greasy quesadilla!
That would be a great story to tell my children! 🙂
Joss says
mmmm mexican food…chips and salsa! Sounds good!
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
Dinner looks like perfect comfort food to me! What a great night to spend with your mom 🙂
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
I never put air in my tires. It has resulted in two flats since the pressure was too low. Now, I have a car that has an indicator light that tells me when I need air. I promptly let my fiance know to take my car to get air in the tires when this happens 🙂
KathEats says
I would pay big bucks for an indicator light!! Maybe my next car will have one… this guy is from the 90s
kt says
yeah, they’re actually mandatory on all cars manufactured after 2007 or 2008 i think. nice to have, but unfortunately they dont tell you whether you’re a little low and should add air within a week or whether there’s a nail in your tire which you should probably take care of ASAP before you find yourself on the side of the road 30 minutes later without a donut or spare.
Cait's Plate says
Hahaha I love the “salad” – that definitely deserves quotes given that there is more cheese than greens there!
Glad it was such a fun night with so many good memories, that’s just the best 🙂
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
I love when old favorites stay the same! You make me want something cheesy. 🙂 Eh, who am I kidding? I always want something cheesy and I’m not baking a bun! 😆
[email protected] Broken Cookies Don't Count says
Mexican food is the best and that looks delicious! Bandido’s looks like a fun place!
robin says
awww wheres a picture of Lillis?
Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says
I’m with you on checking the air in your tires and filling them – such a pain! I have to do that and check the oil – not very time consuming, but I always dread it! Your meal looks fantastic; I feel like I can taste it through the pictures. I’ve got a craving for Spanish rice now!
Ash Bear says
There is nothing like having the food you grew up with and remember. There is a small Mexican restaurant chain in Savannah that we always visit when we’re home.
Erin Motz says
I’ve been eating guacamole like it’s my job. This meal looks delicious!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Man, I wish I had a husband to take care of my car for me – I hate filling the tires with air! 😛