Secret Asian Man II

Happy Día de los Burrachos readers!!!!!!

I figured some of you (Debbie Z.) are anxiously awaiting the posting of our adventures at Guacamaya. Patience friends, your perseverance in the face of growing Brown on the Towne induced anxiety will soon pay off.

So to whet your appetite I am posting some of my latest reconnaissance. Enjoy!

Secret Asian Man II


Grand Fortune (Chinese/Dim Sum)
17330 W Center Rd # 106
(402) 697-9888

Those of you that know me well might ask, "What the hell is Jordan doing going west of 72nd street?!?!?!" That is a valid question. I enjoy most of my existence on the east side of town, but there are some worthy reasons to travel into the treacherous beyond, Grand Fortune's dim sum being one of them. For those of you unfamiliar, dim sum is the name for a Chinese cuisine involving a wide range of light dishes usually served in a small steamer basket or on a small plate. Usually you get a 3 or 4 pieces per plate/steamer basket. The opportunity to sample a great number of different dumplings, buns, pancakes makes this a fun dining experience.

I went there a few weeks back with friends Mary, Hal and Pete. We ordered in three rounds, each time we went for something different. We had steamed pork buns (amazing), shrimp and cilantro dumplings (amazing), leek buns (amazing), sui mai (amazing), turnip pancakes (amazing) and whole bunch of other stuff. All in all an excellent lunch. Between the four of us, around 12 different orders, our bill came to $40. Again, excellent lunch.

Dim sum is usually only served in the mornings and during lunch time, so don't expect to go around dinner and get some tasty treats like those you're staring at... there's drool on your shirt..

Stay tuned for more from this place. Homer and I are big fans.



Mother India (Tandoori)
3572 Leavenworth St.
(402)763-2880

Anyone remember Z's corner store on 36th and Leavenworth?? When I lived down on Leavenworth, Z's was a local destination for all things booze and tobacco. Since then the little cube of a building has been La Tia's Tamales and El Rebaño. A while back I heard rumors of an Indian restaurant opening in that spot. Me = excited. The idea of a small Indian restaurant close to work and home was titillating. Thanks to Ali, Nakiea and Amber for reporting about their experiences there. So I chose to check it out.

I had some vegetable samosas. Excellent! I am kicking myself for not asking if they were homemade. From the taste... light and crispy outer shells, warm and nicely spiced innards...
they gotta be homemade. I just wanted confirmation.

I ordered the Chana Masala. It consisted of chick peas, tomatoes, onion, garlic, spices and maybe ghee and ginger. Oh man, this stuff was great. Chick peas are a personal favorite of mine. You could give me a can of those while you rob me blind and I wouldn't care. The rice was decent, not great, but I would recommend trying this place out. I was super pleased with the Chana Masala.

Prices are very affordable. Most of the main dishes cost between $6 - $10. My total cost plus appetizer was $11. Not bad for tasty Indian!

So that's it for now. Keep sending us suggestions and LEAVE COMMENTS on the blog. Tell us about your experiences of any of the places you try. THIS IS KEY TO OUR STRATEGIC PLAN. So do it. Guacamaya is coming soon.


I will leave you with Rootbeer Floats from the Soda Fountain at the Durham Western Heritage Museum. You may drool now...

San Diego Taco!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Gobackability-- If you go, can we come???
  
• 
  
• Service -- Really, can we come??
• 
  
• Food-- Are you going yet??
  
• 
  
• Browness-- Seriously, if you're not there yet.. you suck.
  

San Diego Taco

10737 Mockingbird Dr., Omaha NE 68127

(402) 339-1410

Pure Goodness

Jordan: Okay, time for the first Secret Asian Man reconnaissance follow up! San Diego Taco!

Homer: It may not be fair to review this place. I had an amazing time, and most of it was not because of the food. I might have a hard time distinguishing the fun from the food.

Jordan: In my experience of this place, the fun is always there, but I can understand where you are coming from El Homer.

Let us introduce a new (soon to be recurring Brown on the Towne character): Naughty Mom!


Homer: Naughty Mom is a good time. Turns out either Naughty Mom has amazing intel, or she really did grow up in the house I am currently renting? How strange is that?

And don't forget Sally H.

Jordan: Of course, Sally! Best neighbor ever!

Homer: So with Neighbor Sally and Naughty Mom, we converged to culinarily conquer San Diego Taco.

Jordan: Let me tell you about the legend of San Diego Taco...

Many moons ago a wise sage (and BotT reader) named Peter C offered San Diego Taco as a suggestion for our food blogging adventures. He said the place was well worth checking out, but that the place wasn't always open. This intrigued me. In the end the limited number of open hours only added the allure of the food. I'm sure you faithful readers have seen the Secret Asian Man post about this place. It's so good I’ve been there 4 times since the start of January. I was afraid I over-hyped it for Homer.

Homer: Turns out, this is one place that lived up to the ridiculous hype. Just like [insert cliché sports personality]. The hype was not the problem for me. You paying attention? I am about to get philosophical on your ass.

Our mission is to seek out and draw attention to the best ethnic eateries in Omaha yes?

Jordan: Yes!

Homer: Well, I don’t know what to do with this place in my own mind! The food is so good.

So good.

The owner does a high end catering business on the side. And you can tell. I have had plenty of fish and shrimp tacos, and none have ever tasted as good as the ones I had here. It is like the owner has adopted the sandiegon....sandiegoan....sandiegun....cuisine and literally made it better.

Jordan: This place deserves the seldom awarded Brown on the Towne distinction of GO THERE FUCKING NOW!!!!!!!!!!

Homer: Where do you categorize a place that has changed reflected on a cuisine and made it high end?

Jordan: I am at a loss. It's so good. Let's take our readers through a chronological tour of our San Diego Taco experience.

Homer: I got to this place first. This is because I am a punctual and awesome person. I sat down and the server asked me if I wanted a margarita, and then went on to explain that the margaritas are made with their own homemade triple sec. Turns out, damn near every thing here is homemade. The chips and salsa came out and I ate some. Good, but nothing spectacular. And then, FINALLY Jordan got there.

Jordan: I got there on time, and I had to pick up Naughty Mom on the way.

And, when I got there, the good times started to roll!

As always.

Homer: Let me just say that homemade triple sec is different. In a margarita, it is good but different. Clove-y-er.


Jordan: I was able to sample the margarita. I am not a fan of sweet-type drinks, but I will say that San Diego Taco's margarita was pretty damn enjoyable. On previous visits I have witnessed a party of patron drink the place out of margarita booze so much that a waitress had to go to the store to purchase more. That's how good this shit is.

Now to the homemade sauces! There are three options for your palate. Your first option is a basic, hot, red sauce. Mighty tasty in its own right. Your second option is a smoky chipotle red sauce. This is killer stuff. Not killer like it will come to resurrect a dead body at the bottom of a lake that will proceed to go on a murderous rampage through cabins and New York City... but killer like, "man that is goddamn tasty!" Your third option is.... so good... a green sauce... I need a moment...

Homer: I believe it was described as a tomatillo, spinach, and chile sauce. Tangy, interesting and delicious.

Jordan: Oh my pants!

Homer: Speaking of pants, that is where Naughty Mom spewed smoky chipotle sauce. All over my pants.

Jordan: That's what Naughty Mom is good at. ZING!

Homer: I ordered a medley of tacos. One fish, one shrimp, one carnitas, and one chorizo.


Jordan: I ordered a medley as well. One chorizo, one carne asada, and one shrimp as well as a cup of chile.




Homer: Chile or chili?

Jordan: Whatever it was, it was guuuuud. I have had ample opportunity to sample their menu. I can honestly say that, from what I have had, everything has been damn good. I am torn on my favorite... it's a tie between the shrimp taco and the chorizo.

Homer: Again with you and favorites. I think the whole ranking and "list" system that is so prevalent in today's electronic society really takes away from the value of things. I do not have a favorite here. I do have lots of things that I would recommend to you. The shrimp and the chorizo are two of those.

Jordan: Hey man, you’re entitled to your own opinion. But you readers out there, if you so happen to get me some food from San Diego Taco, get me the shrimp or chorizo!

Homer: It is true. I would eat the chorizo all day long. Another thing that Paul (the chef) makes himself.

Jordan: He sells it by the pound too! Our waitress was awesome. She shared good information about the food, about the restaurant and was brave/cool enough to join into our ongoing conversations.

Homer: Even when it devolved into syphilis.

Confused? Hey, if you come to a BOTT event, you too will know the craziness we engage in.

Jordan: Sally eventually joined us and added to the magical wonder that is Brown on the Towne. She says the veggie tacos are fantastic.

Homer: Sally actually drove us all to drink.

Jordan: Thanks Sally! Throw in some homemade lime ice cream and crispy, chewy cinnamon tortilla strips…


Another successful BotT in the books! Make sure you guys call ahead to make sure they are open!

Homer: Suggestion contest ends at the end of February. And if you care to meet us, we will be at Clancy's on Tuesday, February 10 celebrating the day I came into this world. Oh, and cheese. Definitely celebrating cheese.

Jordan: Okay friends, leave us a comment here on the blog or send us an email at brownonthetowne@gmail.com!!! Adios.