There's a hot dog in there, I swear.
I don't think I quite realized what I was getting into when I ordered a Colombian-style perro caliente at Brasa Restaurant on Long Island. The hot dog, and its doughy cocoon, were the length of my forearm, wrist to elbow — no exaggeration. In addition to being smothered in mayo, mustard, ketchup AND pineapple sauce, it was obscenely embedded with other meat: thick slices of chorizo. Several of them.
Shredded lettuce was in there, too, but I'm not sure why. To make me feel less guilty for devouring this cholesterol fiesta? It sure wasn't in there for crunch factor — that job was taken care of by the confetti of fried potato on top.
Oh, don't get me wrong — I. LOVED. IT. Not to mention all the other Latin food I chowed down on in my quest to find authentic, and perhaps widely unknown, local eateries run by Latinos. It was the subject of my recent NY Times piece, which you can check out by clicking here.
If you care to make the trek to Brasa, consider yourself warned: When your stomach screams STOP, your mouth will remind you that it doesn't have ears.
So good to see you posting again, NY Girl. I've missed your style, wit and intrepid spirit.
Speaking of Latin food -- was that you I spotted recently enjoying the cuisine and ambiance at the bar of one of my favorite places -- Pupeseria Melissa Tavern on Long Island?
Posted by: Jack | June 16, 2008 at 10:06 AM