If there was any shred of a theme to the foods I gravitated towards in 2005, it would have to be my unexplainale cravings for mexican food. It seemed that was my choice more often than not.
So when the Chicago Reader ran a food feature on unusual Mexican specialties and wher to find them, I read it with relish (salsa?) I even found a featured resturant in my hometown of Berwyn, not far from where I currently live.
What’s the the regional speciality at this eatery (which, by the way, is El Chimbombo)?
Tacos de ojos.
Those of you who have a passing knowledge of Spanish just re-read that. Yes. I said:
Eyeball Tacos
Now I would consider myself an adventurous eater. But eyeballs? Could, Would, Should I try it? Would Debbie ever kiss me again?
The article ran a month ago. I’ve mentioned it to others. No one else was the slightest bit interested in trying one.
I can’t stop thinking about eyeball tacos. I think I want to try one.
Until, that is, I did research for this here article.
I found a picture. I will not reprint it here. This is nothing you want to see.
I read two articles- both, oddly, sampling tacos de ojos at Chicago’s Maxwell Street Market. One person didn’t have the courage to try one. The other- at the food blog ExtraMSG.com- tried it and wishes he hadn’t. I considered reprinting some of the descriptions here, but they’re really just too repulsive. Follow the link at your own risk, and don’t plan on eating for a while…
So, I think I’m likely going to pass on tacos de ojos for now. I’m shifting my thought towards huitlacoche, the mexican corn truffle- or the fungus that grows on corn. Some call it "black corn smut" (wasn’t that a Soundgarden song?) I found a blog that liked it and a blog that hated it.
Anyone want to join me on this one?