I would like to briefly examine the process I went through a few days ago of trying to find a place to eat alone. The first instinct that I have when faced with the problem of hunger and the solution of eating out, is that I don’t want to eat alone. So I call around. Ten minutes later if I have come full circle, and still have no one to eat with, then I begin to rack my brain as to where to eat, if I must do it by myself. The mental battle lasts thirty minutes, involves a lot of pacing back and forth, and a few more phone calls to no avail. At first I think I want to go to a coffee shop, perhaps get a sandwich or coffee. I rule this out because I want a bigger and fuller meal, and am usually trying to appease my hunger pains at late hours, when most coffee shops are no longer open. Then I decide that I want to eat somewhat close to my house, cheaply, and without a large crowd. This rules out my favorite ramen house in Clairemont, my favorite sushi place, and most other tasty and expensive restaurants. After this round of elimination, I usually end up with Luigi’s pizza, Chipotle, Pokez, Panchos Market, and Los Panchos taco shop. Chipotle is ruled out because there are always too many loud people, and I don’t want to be outnumbered and singled out. Luigi’s pizza is too greasy for me most nights, and is usually filled to the brim with cool kids and possibly some people I know, and if I’m going to be sitting by myself I would rather be in an environment that enriches the lonely moment, not diffuses it. One must relish this opportunity to eat in silence and solitude, yes? Pokez is ruled out for the same reason, along with the decision that I would rather not have to poop ten times tomorrow. I’m left with Panchos, and Los Panchos. Funny. North park is deemed ‘too far’ and I pick Los Panchos. I order 5 rolled tacos, a side of rice and beans, and pour 4 containers of their extra delicious salsa verde sauce all over my meal. I choose the seat behind the door to corner myself into a little world, and eat until the last crunchy roll is gone. The next day my stomach is churning and I wish that I had just eaten Pokez, because if I must suffer the post-mexican-food-sickly-blues than I would rather have enjoyed a tofu potato and mushroom burrito for a buck more, with only slightly worse results.
