If there is one area of conversation, one facet of communication that I would extract from all future interactions it would be politics. My friends might find this strange because I am often puffing heatedly about affirmative action, gay parenting and abortion (I often play the devil’s advocate, rousing great venomous passions over dinner) but I never do so gladly. If I could, I would be done with it: leave the politics to the pros, and let me worry about food.
That was my mindset today as I made my way down 14th Street. (Cue Rufus Wainwright’s “14th Street” from his new album, which is such a good song). “Ahhh,” I said to myself. “What a lovely day. I shall go to Taqueria Del Sol and Star Provisions and record my experience for my site readers.”
And then I saw a vision out my window:
I found this vision disconcerting because after my journalistic endeavor, I planned to kill my baby.
“Oh well, baby,” I said. “I guess you’ll live after all.”
Then I parked my car at Taqueria Del Sol.
Did I think about the exploitation of Mexican iconography and food in maintaining the sustinence of rich white people? No, reader I didn’t. I ordered three cheaply priced tacos ($1.49 each): a fried chicken taco, a brisket taco, and a fried fish taco.
I sat at a table and read a New Yorker article about John Kerry. Damn politics!
Then my food was brought out:
Did I see in my tacos metaphors for capitalism (brisket = beef industry), religion (fish = sticker on Christian cars) and cultural hegemony (fried chicken = mainstreamed version of the real deal). No! I just ate them and they were delicious.
Then I made my way over to Star Provisions, which–after severe protests from the S society and R-wingers–is now simply TA Provisions:
In all seriousness, Ta Provisions is probably the most respected, most accomplished and most expensive “supermarket” to be found in Atlanta. It is housed right in front of Bacchanalia, often cited as Atlanta’s best restaurant. Inside you will find:
A bakery:
Today they were selling these amazing look S’Mores:
But I didn’t buy one because I’m a Democrat.
There’s also a kitchen equipment section:
A meat section:
And a candy section:
Finally, after a trip through the wine section
I made my way home. In the car, I noticed a mini-van in front of me with a large fish labelled “TRUTH” eating a smaller fish labelled “DARWIN.” The license plate said: “Support Our Teachers!”
The baby said: “Kill me now.”