Chalu Burgers

No one will ever confuse me with a Laredo historian. I can't seem to recall anything pre-Betty Flores days.

One thing I get asked often by friends and relatives is, "Hey DeLaredo, you 'member the Playmore right? That place was awesome?".

To which I snap my reply, "I have no bugging clue about the Playmore, or Roxy's, or Wimpys or the freaking Royal. So leave me alone!" That usually  drives them off and they stop asking me questions.

Soooo..it's no great surprise that I have never heard of Chalu's Burgers. You see, I was doing some gift shopping over at the pulga when I came across a neat coffee mug.

CHALU Burger? Chale, I've never heard of that. Maybe some of you out there can enlighten me as to when and where this place existed. Perhaps preeminent historian Keyrose can use his keen insight and tell us more about this local burger shrine that is no more.

How can a place exist in Laredo for 30 years and I not heard of it at all? It goes to show you once again what a bad Laredoan I am.

Burgers from the past

Problems with the header

For the next several days, expect some issues with our header. The problems should be revised within a week or two as we try new ideas. The blog is  undergoing a bit of a makeover. Don't mind our mess too much.

Summer 2014

Well, as you might have notice, I have been neglecting my blogging duties due to mostly my own gleeful laziness. But, having a week off for summer vacation finally gave me time to stop by and inform you about what has been going on with my life (not that it's any even remotely interesting).

1) This week off has given me some time to read. I was able to get a copy of Alan M Klein's book, "Baseball on the Border", and I have been finding the book quite interesting. This summer, with the TX Rangers having such an awful season, it's giving me more time than normal to dedicate to reading. Hopefully I can let you know what I think of the book in a couple of weeks after I'm done with it.

Picked it up on Ebay for 5 Bucks

2) I've also been catching up on my list of films to watch. It's great to sit back in the morning, drink a hot cup of coffee, kick my feet up and enjoy a quality movie. My GF seems to think that my taste in movies is *shit*, but I disregard her opinion, since she enjoys Mexican telenovelas, so that shows how much she knows. Some of the titles I've had to pleasure of watching include "The Mad Bomber", 1980's classic "Tuff Turf" and 1979's "The Boogeyman", all fine quality films. 

Feel free to borrow my VHS copy

3) Besides work, Grad school, the GF, my lovely Kid, and paying for stupid bills, my life has been pretty laid back.  I've renewed my interest in making my film, "CarrotHead 2", so you might actually see something from that this month (you have been warned).

4) I did some driving around with a buddy of mine, and we took plenty of pics of random things I found around town, but I figured I'd leave that for my weekend update. This town is just too funny!

Raspas and Snacks Never go out of Style

The latest entry in the long line of local snack and raspas is is meat-market-turned-ice-treats, Ruiz Meat market. It seems everywhere I look, a new snack joint opens up around town. With such brutally scorching summers, and Laredoans heavy desire for all types of late night snacks, it makes sense for Ruiz to enter the tough raspa market. Still, I don't think I can get my mind off the brisket meat while ordering my strawberry raspa and frito pie....

Finger News

Must have been a slow news day.  But still . . . wildly fascinating stuff.

Local Beauty Queen Arrest

The Laredo Morning Times seems to want a little web traffic on their ol' web page.  At least that's what I think when the arrest of a local "beauty queen" made it to the front page.  Oh, it was not on page 4-5, where the local arrests are usually noted, but on the top right hand corner.

A few months ago the local organ of publicity started publishing weekly mugshots on their webpage.  Generally speaking their more attractive women usually garner the most "web hits."  So, once Ms. Prieto-Falcon's mugshot (seen above) makes it to the album, I expect a new record.

Just saying.

High and Dry

La raza en Laredo nunca para...

Making the rounds in the LMT and in social media was something straight out of Hollywood, a police car on cinder blocks sans stolen rims and tires. Don't fret, though, the Strong Arm of the Law soon found the perpetrator and they broke out the floodlights and the rubber hoses to bring him to justice.
Enjoy.

Jingle at the H.E.B.

It was that time of the year once more--braving the crowds of angry paisanos and disgruntled Laredoans at our local H.E.B.'s.  Naturally with so much savings at stake, it was expected to be a harsh and difficult endevour, one which could result in bloodshed if something went wrong.

Naturally, all went well for your faithful narrator as he made his way to the HEB El Mercado in the midst of the holiday rush.  I stood in awe of the HEB efforts to capitalize on the Christmas craze, particularly their heavy use of Christmas iconography.  But, it was not surprising to be sure.

There were bargains aplenty throughout the store.  DVDs at low, low prices or the traditional fare to make tamales.  

Some of us bloggers have fallen on harder times and thus required a little help to convert our spare change into something tangible.

My number one fan

We all have our own personal Nurse Annie, a number one fan. Even my lowly blog has admirers and a long list of rabbit fans (at Tacos Ravi the other day I had to wave away several autograph seekers.)

Here is just one example of how much love I get from the my many fans across the internet. We are starting the year off with so much love. Since 2008 and still kicking, this blog continues.

Apparently I have my share of fans. It seems as if I'm starting my own cult following. keep the gifts and praise coming my way. I might have to start my own fan club now.

Fight at the International Bridge

Whoah.  Things got heated at the ol' International Bridge today.  Just to tell you, Egg Nog and long lines at the CBP checkpoint are not conducive to harmony and good cheer.

According to reports in the LMT, a little road rage led to an all out fist fight worthy of Laredo Fights videos (see above).  But, in this case, it brought out the Feds and orders for these hooligans to get on the floor and to get down quickly.

Personally, if I had a gun drawn on me by law enforcement, I'd be eating dirt quickly and efficiently.  Yes, self-preservation and all that.  Either way, just wait till those Paisanos hit the bridges.  Yikes!

Freebie Monday! (part 1) The Bottle Returns

There was a time in my life where I was a Cow-sheep and I gave my money blindly over to Jerry Jones. I loved me some football and some Dallas Cowboys. However, somewhere along the way, for many reasons that I don't wish to write about, I lost all interest in the NFL and especially in Jerry's team. Because of that, I am giving away all my Cowboys memorabilia (not that I have much left).

I first tried to give this bottle away in a Twitter contest I held about two years ago. However, the winner of that contest, a man from Zapata, never came by to collect his prize. After repeated calls and emails went unanswered, I am putting up again for some lucky Jerry Jones disciple to add to their collection.

The bottle itself goes for about 15 maybe 25 dollars on Ebay. It's actually a fairly common Coke bottle, nonetheless, it would still be a great gift with the holidays coming up. At one point in my life, I loved me the Dallas Cowboys brand, and I because of that I want this bottle to go to a good home, one that Randy White would approve.

Playing for a chance to win this delicious collectible is easy. First, you must be a follower of mine on Twitter. Then, write to me telling me why you are the world's best Cowboys' fan. You must use the hastag #delaredoblog in your tweet. That's it. I will choose a winner and a runner up, just in case the 1st place winner is a no show! So go ahead and try your luck. You know you want to. Jay Novacek wants you to!!!