Mexican Snack Addiction #It'sAThing

If my taste buds were climbers, Mexican snacks would be Mount Everests (if Mount Everest can be plural...and splashed with limón, chile powder and chicharones *drool*). Being handed a bag of tostilocos is like looking up from the base of the mountain. You want to get started, but you're afraid. How will it feel? Will I regret it?

You're climbing, climbing...regretting those Coronas at the bar the other night that got you announcing to the world you'd do this. But, when you get to the top you're happy you did. Without a doubt it was intense and, at times, too much. The weirder thing is, later on you find yourself wanting to feel that feeling again. Or, in this case, eat more tostilocos you crazy person you!

Or chamango, tamarind candy or takis for that matter. Oh, Mexican snacks - the unhealthy obsession/addiction love you've created for my tastebuds. Who knew flavor face implosion would be an enjoyable experience. I just need one more. Get out of my way! ONE MORE!

What is tostilocos? I thought you'd never ask. I'm not just going to tell you what it is. I'm going to show you.

(Quick background: my photographer and I were in Tijuana doing a story on a secret smuggling tunnel when we embarked on this tostilocos venture)

First, it starts with a bag of CHIPS or Tostitos.

That little girl thinks I'm so lame. 

Then, JICAMA (a.k.a. Mexican turnip).

She's completely over us. Like, why are you filming this?

  

Then, CUCUMBERS!

Then, my favorite, CUERITOS (PICKLED PIG SKIN)!

Then, JAPANESE PEANUTS AND TAMARIND CANDY!

You think it stops there. Oh no. Dear God, no. Then, LIME JUICE, HOT SAUCE AND CHAMOY (salty, sweet, sour, spicy chile sauce)!

 

On the outside, I'm smiling in this picture. In the inside, I'm freaking out thinking, "Holy mother to all that's good in the world, what did I just order?!" The sheer weight of the thing was about a pound! I thought my photographer and I were going to share it, but he said "Oh no, that's all you."

I'm proud to say I finished most of it. It's a lot of picking, moving around, eating your favorite things first, leaving the other stuff for the end action. For those of you who can't go to TJ to try tostilocos, here are a few spots in San Diego. I haven't been to these places personally, but they have decent reviews online:

1. Neveria Tocumbo in Chollas View

2. Frutilandia in City Heights

3. Teresita's Fruiteria in Otay Mesa/San Ysidro area

While you at it, make sure to try chamango! Alex and I got some, but they were the processed frozen kind. If anything he has the appropriate reaction in this photo. Make sure you get the ones with real mango inside.

Note to self: When you go to TJ, bring more than $1

Happy eating, friends!