Lago Tacos - My New Obsession

Having been raised on an island in the Pacific, I'm use to not having to travel that far from my home for what I need, be it the grocery store, restaurants, shopping etc.  I think that has a lot to do with why I love living in Excelsior, Minnesota.  Everything I need is nearby.

Until recently, we were in need of a Taco place. For months I've obsessed over the opening of Lago Tacos on Water Street in Excelsior.

Peering into the windows, willing them to open

Finally last week they threw open their doors and introduced the town to their 28 different types of tequila, Street Style Tacos, and massive Burritos. I've already been there four times, and I'm happy to say that they were worth the wait.

I've worked my way through about half of their menu items.  Right now my favorite is their Steak Quesadillas. Their Walleye Tacos and El Pastor (Pork) Tacos are also at the top of my list.

Steak Quesadillas

Lago Tacos serves lunch starting at 11am, and dinner with a Happy Hour from 3pm-6pm. Starting March 16th they will be serving breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays when they will open at 8:00am. I'm counting the days until March 16th when I can try their breakfast menu.

If you see me running...

Anyone who knows me well knows that, if you see me running it means I'm being chased by a zombie, or Bradley Cooper is in town, meaning a restraining order against me will probably follow.

If I'm running a zombie is coming or I'm after Bradley Cooper

 Even when I use to work out regularly, running was not a part of my routine if I could help it. This may all change for a good cause. The Jake O'Conners Luck o' The Lake 5K Fun Run is March 16th right here in Excelsior.  The 5K benefits Community Events such as Art on the Lake, 4th of July and others.

It kicks off at the Excelsior Brewery, which is a plus.  I'm not sure where it ends, but I know for me it will end at Jake O'Conners Public House aka: Our very own Irish Pub in Excelsior.  More than likely I'll be doing more walking during the 5K than running.  Either way, I'll be out supporting a great cause in our community.

You can sign up for the 5K by visiting this link Jake O'Conners Luck o' The Lake 5K.  You can also support community efforts buy purchasing a fabulous Luck o' The Lake 5K hoodie.  I'm wearing mine here.

You can purchase a hoodie at the following Excelsior businesses:

Patisserie Margo
Brightwater Clothing and Gear
Excelsior Brewing Company
Jake O'Conners Public House

I've signed up for 3 5Ks but I've never done one. It's on my bucket list to do one, so this one looks promising.

Hope to see you there! Dressing up to show your St. Patrick's Day spirit is encouraged, unless you are Bradley Cooper, then just show up topless in a speedo.

Just Call me Judge Natalie

Word must really be getting out about how much of a food enthusiast I am.  Recently I was invited to be a judge at the first annual Southshore Sizzle, which is a Lake Minnetonka Iron Chef style competition benefiting the ICA Food Shelf.  Four Lake Minnetonka restaurants went head to head to compete for the Golden Cleaver Award.

Competing restaurants were:

Ike's Minnetonka
318 Cafe
Joey Nova's
Hazellewood Grille

My claim to fame as a local food enthusiast is that I was the first Excelsior resident to eat one of everything at our local European Bakery, Patisserie Margo.  At least I'm pretty sure this is why I was invited to sit at the judges table with National Meteorologist Paul Douglas, MyTalk 107.1 Talk Show Host Bradley Traynor, Around Town TV Host Carla Beaurline and President of InVision Optical Anthony Bosca.

Senior Editor from Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine Melinda Nelson, was the emcee of the evening.  The woman is just a hoot and a half!

Sizzle Judges with Emcee Melinda Nelson

Because I was going to be eating a decent amount of food, and drinking as much free wine as I could get my hands on, I wore my tried and true compression garment known as Spanx under a dress that was forgiving in the waist area. Nothing helps you remember to keeps your Abs in, and encourages good posture like full body Spanx.

I digress, this is supposed to be about the Southshore Sizzle, not how I hold in my muffin top.  The participating chefs were able to choose ingredients from a table and were given the "secret" ingredient, which was Filet Mignon, along with an Italian sausage.

 I have to be honest. I lobbied for the secret ingredient to be one of my all time favorite meats, Spam.  Being from Hawaii I've had a lifelong love affair with this succulent canned meat. Needless to say my idea was shot down, which I thought was surprising being that Spam is produced here in Minnesota.

As judges we were given a dish that each Chef put together.  We judged each based on Taste, Presentation, and Originality.  Though all were delicious, one stood out.  The winner was Joey Nova's, who happened to be the underdog.  Here are the judges, emcee and the team from Joey Nova's.

I had such a great time taking part in this event. I've now judged a cooking competition and pageants, so my judging resume has really expanded.  Though, I think I prefer these cooking competitions over judging Pageants because the food is better.  

It was a bonus that my bio was read correctly at this event. During one of the pageants I judged, as I turned facing and waving to the crowd, the emcee announced that I was a "Popular Lake Minnetonka Communist!"  The sheet said "Columnist".  I just shrugged my shoulders and took my seat. I figured I'd been called worse.