7/12/09 - The Mom and Pop

Long before there was Albertson's or Super Walmart, there was the Mom and Pop. Every El Paso neighborhood had one at some point--the choice was either visit your local corner grocer or drive over to Piggly Wiggly. Despite the fierce competition these small shops now face with 7-Eleven, Circle K and the like, it's nice to know that a few of them are still around.

7/11/09 - The Pershing Theater

While there have been great improvements in the overall movie-going experience (i.e., stadium-style seating), there was something grand--something special about going these old local movie houses. At one point, every community had one. Mine was THE PERSHING THEATER at Five Points. It was here at this one-screen theater where I saw great films for the first time like "Back To The Future" and "Brewster's Millions." Today, visiting a local multi-plex just isn't the same; they lack a certain elegance that theaters once possessed. Coupled with skyrocketing admission, inferior films and over-priced concessions (to concede that one, concession prices have always been excessive), you're forced to sit through 15 minutes of trailers for films you'd most likely pass on only to be further disappointed by the actual feature film itself, or the obnoxious jerks on their cell phones...

7/10/09 - An El Paso Institution

I've never met an El Pasoan that didn't have a soft spot in their heart for Chico's Tacos (even if they DID close my favorite location on McRae and STILL don't take credit/debit cards), but you know what's even better? Another dish I can only get in El Paso -- my Grandma's tacos...