One of the absolute best parts about starting this blog has been meeting really awesome people, both here in San Diego, and elsewhere around the country. Back in my early days of blogging, when I was 14 and used to stay up all night fixing code and drinking 2 Liters of Coke right out of the bottle, other bloggers were actually the people I was closest to. I loved getting on AIM late at night and chatting with friends (like my dear Hannah out in Kansas City) and it was such a welcome relief from the lameness that was high school. Finding a new community of bloggers in San Diego has reminded me that there are so many lovely, inspiring ladies (and dudes!) out there.
I had the pleasure of finally meeting one of these women in person on my very first blogger date (the cool kids call them blates) for Taco Tuesday last week. Jen, the incredible cook and writer behind Marshmallows and Margaritas, lives just up the 5 from me in Carlsbad. Since I work in Del Mar, we split the distance and found ourselves at Las Olas in Cardiff by-the-Sea.
Usually their happy hour goes until 6pm, but beer and food specials last all night on Taco Tuesdays. Their taco special is simple: a la carte fish tacos and carnitas tacos priced at $3.50. Unfortunately, this was a bit of a disappointment since I don't eat fish and rarely eat pork. So I did the Classic Combo special ($2 off during happy hour) which is one crispy taco and one enchilada with two sides (cabbage, rice, or beans - I got double rice). The chicken enchilada was good (though it had a lot of dark meat) and I was so stuffed from that and the rice that I barely ate my crispy taco. I did like the crispy taco shell though. After all, I'm more used to an Americanized / Tex Mex style of Mexican than I am the soft tortilla tacos that are served here.
The view from our table.
An eclectic mix of families, teens and young professionals started to trickle for their own Taco Tuesdays just as Jen and I were finishing and it was yet more proof of how laid back people in Cardiff seem to be. Watching the sun go down, it's nights like this that I sometimes wish Ryan and I lived in North County, close to the beach.
I could easily have spent the night soaking up more of their drink specials ($1 off drafts and wine), staring at the ocean and enjoying the great conversation with Jen, if not for the 25 minute drive back home. Overall the food was pretty standard but filling, making the best part about this Taco Tuesday option the pretty views and the relaxed vibe. But the best part of the night was meeting Jen and making an awesome new friend in North County! Don't forget to visit her blog, Marshmallows and Margaritas, to try some of her tasty recipes!
Las Olas
2655 South Coast Highway 101
Cardiff by-the-Sea, CA 92007
Phone: (760) 942-1860
