Monthly Feature
Melissa brings you the latest from the world of fast food!

Everyone has a “happy place”. A place we retreat to when life gets a little too much to deal with. A place where we feel safe and secure. Loved and comforted. Reassured and certain.

For me, that place is Taco Cabana. Those bright pink stucco walls and towering palm trees are a beacon of solace. The glowing neon guides me into the parking lot while the smell of freshly made tortillas brings a smile to my face and a rumble to my stomach. For me, there are few places in the world that are as wonderful as Taco Cabana.

I first discovered Taco Cabana in college. Growing up in a small town, we had the standard choice between McDonald’s, Sonic, Dairy Queen and for a time, Burger King. While good, they get old after a while. Even for a fast food junkie.

So after breaking free from the confines of high school, I packed my crap and moved out. It was a glorious time in my life. I couldn’t get to college fast enough. On the way to that fabulous new life, I discovered Taco Cabana. Now, I know they’ve been around for as long as I’ve been alive but I’d never eaten at one. Nor really had ever seen one for that matter. So when I drove into town and passed its reverent pinkness and neon, I had to stop in. It was love at first bite and my life has never been the same.

Its 24/7 availability was a godsend. When I think back to my college days, some of my most favorite memories take place at Taco Cabana. I went there to with friends to celebrate the end of finals with a couple cervazas, ate my weight in tortillas and queso when I was bummed out and would often grab a quick 3:00 a.m. snack on my way home from a long night of getting hassled by drunk frat guys at The P-Tar.

Most often we would hit to TC after parties. There’s nothing better than soaking up inordinate amounts of alcohol from one’s system than fajita steak soft tacos. My all-time favorite TC meal is the chicken flauta combo. Those golden fried flutes of deep-fried yumminess dipped in queso are my go-to meal whenever I’m stumped as to what I’m in the mood for. As a true Texas gal, I’m always in the mood for Mexican food. That and an ice cold Bud Light.

This month, I tried the new Shrimp Tampico Quesadilla. This goes totally out of my Mexican food comfort zone since there are no refried beans involved. Or rice. Or sour cream and guacamole. I went out on a palm tree limb on this one.

Overall taste: 8
I was fairly surprised that I enjoyed this quesadilla as much as I did. It was full of tiny bite-sized shrimp, melted cheese and pico de gallo. And I don’t even like pico. TC advertises that the shrimp used in this quesadilla have been marinated in ancho, chipotle, garlic, lime and cilantro and I definitely got that after taking my first bite. It wasn’t overpowering but was still flavorful and tasty. The shrimp were tender and juicy. Towards the last couple of slices, I started getting a bit of heat added to the mix. Too bad I didn’t pick up that that at the first bite though. Would’ve been a whole lot better.

Visual Appeal: 6
A quesadilla is a quesadilla. Not much to write home about on this one. It held together really well though. Nothing fell out as I took bites, much to the dismay of my two begging dogs.

Health Rating: 6
I’m totally guessing on this one. I went to Taco Cabana’s website to do the research but they don’t have the nutritional information listed. But since mine didn’t come with the typical fat-laden sides like refried beans, sour cream and guacamole, I’m assuming it was pretty healthy. At least more so than their Cabana bowls, which pack more calories and fat than most fast food burger meals.

Side note: I ordered the personal sized quesadilla. The larger one may come with the extra sides. If so, be ready to add on the calories.

After Effects:
None to speak of. I was full and content.

Would you eat it again?
Sure. It definitely wouldn’t be my first choice but it was a nice change of pace. I think it’s a perfect substitution for the regular heavy meals that TC serves up. It’s light so you won’t feel stuffed but hearty so you won’t leave hungry. Now that the weather is nicer, this quesadilla would be perfect to eat while sitting out on the patio and sipping a margarita. Frozen, no salt.