Shortstop Burgers and Golden Chicken

When I moved down to Laredo in 1992, two of my favorite places to eat were Golden Chicken and Shortstop Burgers. Don't blame me for terrible taste in food. Rather, blame my aunt and uncle. They would always drag us down to eat at these two places during the weekends. Now, these places have both closed down or changed names, but the bitter taste of their flavore still remains in my mouth years after.

Shortstop Burgers had a location, that I can recall, on the intersection of Zapata Hwy. and Loop 20. Their burgers would always be semi-burned and their salty fries were always a nuisance to my taste buds. But because they were inexpensive, Shorstop Burgers always had a long line of waiting customers, especially on Friday nights. They closed down sometime in the mid 90s, I believe. Now, a Tortas Yukon stands where the famous Shortstop Burgers were once located.

This is similar to the one I remember. Not the exact one though.

The other eatery that I cherish from my terrible teen years, was Golden Chicken, located downtown across the street from Int'l. Bridge 2. Again, as kids we were taken there because of its inexpensiveness. The chicken at said restaurant was so greasy, it made Church's look like a healtshake. I even recall that Golden Chicken had this cheesy TV commercial, a parody of Ghostbuster's "Who you gonna call":

"Dime a donde vas. A Golden Chicken!  Pollito Caliente. Sabor Diferente. Dime a donde vas. A Golden Chicken!"

I don't recall the exact lyrics of the TV commercial, but from what I recall, I would see it on KLDO back sometime in 92' or 93. Every wedding or Quincera that I attended between those years, had the obligatory Golden Chicken as the food of choice. I miss the 90s.

Random Lyrics pt. 7

"Elvis, was a hero to most
but he never meant shit to me you see
straight up racist the sucker was
simple and plain
motherfu** him and John Wayne."

Y2K Compliant

I went to the doctor a week ago for a routine check-up. This doctor had the latest equipment. So much so that all his equipment, including the examination table is Y2K ready. Good! That makes me feel at ease.

Life's Expectations, and other Shortcomings

(DeLaredo is pleased to announce that we have added a columnist and featured contributor to our silly blog. Meet Ms. Mary C. Read her initial work, Life's Expectations, below.)

When we’re younger and naïve, we have certain expectations about our life and how we want it all to turn out. When you get older and the veil starts to slowly slip away, you notice that things in life almost never turn out the way you want them to. Sure, they may come out close to how you want them to be but never exactly the way you planned. I remember when I was younger and was constantly writing about what I was going to do with my life and who I was going to spend it with. I knew exactly where I wanted to attend college and exactly what kind of guy I was going to marry. I even had it down to what age I was going to get married and at what age I was going to have my first baby. Yup, didn’t turn out like that at all. I know the saying goes that things happen for a reason. Sure they do. Let me tell you what I had planned out for myself: 

The Hand goes to the Broncos' game

    Several days ago, due to the renewed interest in Broncos' baseball, I went down and experienced a game a the ol' ballpark. I will provide you proof and pictures, mostly of my hand at said event. For the first installment, I will tell you of my latest trip down to Veteran's Field to watch the Broncos and their newest player, Mr Juice himself, Jose Canseco.

The Hand at Broncos' game

I arrived to the game at the top of the 1st inning and waited in line to buy the tickets to the biggest sporting event that Laredo has seen in quite a while. Already, eager fans were filling up the stands with an overflowing anticipation and the Canseco buzz was stirring among the faithful that had gathered to get a glimpse of their childhood hero and one-time MLB superstar.

Tickets, $5.00

     Being the frugal chump that I am, I bought the least expensive tickets available, general admission seating in the nose bleed section and the only place a true fan ever sits. I made my way into the park and up to find my seat, but not before making a stop to purchase a tall,frosty beverage that would quench my thirst in the scorching hot Laredo summer.

The Hand does a Bud at the game

I talk baseball with my companion, the only person I was able to con into going with me, when out of the corner of my eye a wickedly hit foul ball is hurling at me at the speed of light and my instantaneous reaction is to rise up out my seat, stretch out beyond other spectators, and make a one handed glove catch for the ages, much to the delight of the amazed crowd that begins to cheer the unanticipated catch.

I was glad I took a glove. I had never caught I foul ball before. It was actually kinda cool.

The foul ball I caught

Unfortunately, Jose Canseco went 0 for 3 in the time that I was at the game. I did have to leave early, so I did not stay until the end to get an autograph from the former Bash Brother. His T-shirts and other memorabilia were selling quite well, and the turn-out at the park was rather impressive. Canseco was cheered loudly every time he went up to the plate and his massive frame still impresses the ladies, including my companion, who wanted to get a closer  view of his bulk before I spoke some sense into her.

Jose Canseco in the Bronco's dugout

In all sincerity, seeing Canseco play in person was a pretty cool event. The ten year old inside me was having a sweet blast and I could not help but search the field for Mark McGwire or Rickey Henderson and the other Oakland A's of 1989. That was a rad year.

However, as I finished my second Bud and as the fifth inning came to a close, a disturbing memory blasted back into my soul and I remembered why I have such a deep hatred and resentment toward Jose Canseco and his baseball-head bouncing ways. The foul memory opened a deep wound in heart that I believed, errenously,  had been healed. That, however, was not the case.

In the next week, you can read about said event in my life. Hopefully, I can bring myself to write about it. It just might be therapeutical.

Jose Canseco update

 It seems that Jose is doing good enough in Laredo. According to his twitter account, he hit a home run in his first at-bat in Laredo. He's asking for support for the Broncos. I'm going out to the game next time. C u there.

BTW, Jose seems to have 350,00 followers on Twitter. I on the other hand, have 76. It's a tight race to the finish line. 

Canseco to play for Broncos?

Great. Jose Canseco is bringing his circus to Laredo. Fun. Maybe he can pitch for the Broncos too.