I don’t have many rules about food here, but there’s one that I swear by. In Indonesia, eat Indonesian food. The same goes for France, Italy, Greece, Scandinavia, and so forth. First of all, why wouldn’t you? It’s part of the experience. Second, it’s the best way I know to avoid disappointment. When, for instance, you’re in Bali and the menu says, Chicken Gordon Bloo, here’s my advice. If it isn’t spelled right, how can you even remotely expect that it will taste right?
But tonight I broke my own rule. I met Sharon, who has been visiting in Bali for two months and admitted that she is getting a little tired of Asian food, at Taco Casa. As the name implies, Mexican food is served there. They have not a single Indonesian dish, well, I take that back. I saw black rice pudding on the dessert menu. That’s undeniably Indonesian. But dessert aside, the fare is Mexican, the kind of Mexican that we in America know and love, sour cream, black olives, and fat, juicy, jalepenos!
Not only does Taco Casa advertise great Mexican food, but Nina next door, my oracle on all things Bali, assured me that they have the best margaritas on the island. Sharon liked the sounds of that. “Let’s go!”
Four in the afternoon is a little early for dinner, but it’s perfect for a drink. Oh my! Nina was right! There’s nothing like a cool beverage in a salt rimmed glass on a hot Bali afternoon to make you feel so, so happy.
But our appetites kicked in as we watched plate after delicious plate of real-looking Mexican food float past and get delivered elsewhere. Nachos Supreme, we decided, was the combination of crunchy and spice that we were looking for.
I didn’t realize until I put the first bite in my mouth, how much I like the flavors of Mexico! Eating rice and veggies in some form or another every day, day after day, is fine. I’m okay with that. But mama mia! Did those nachos taste almighty wonderful!
Next time you’re in Ubud and you have a hankering for Mexican, or a margarita, stop at Taco Casa. It’s across from Mama Mia’s Pizza, another great alternative to Indonesian. Rules are made to be broken!
writing for self-discovery 
Mar 28, 2014 @ 08:50:06
Your stories are always so entertaining and real. They remind me why I live here.
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Mar 28, 2014 @ 19:31:39
Real is what I’m going for. It doesn’t always present me in the most favorable light, but when the guru asked me, “What do you want more than ‘nice’,” I knew that I wanted ‘real’. Sometimes that’s a stretch for a ‘Minnesota Nice’ girl!
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Mar 28, 2014 @ 10:16:38
We. Must. Go. That is the best picture of you, Sherry, sitting across the table from 2 margaritas! 😊
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Mar 28, 2014 @ 19:28:08
I have another photo that looks like I’m sitting in a virtual margarita tub! Sharon is a dynamite photographer. I should have waited for her pics to post. She knows how to maneuver the camera to get those crazy-good shots!
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Mar 28, 2014 @ 12:00:53
Yummmmy! Next year, let’s go!
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Mar 28, 2014 @ 19:25:40
Absolutely! Now that I’m venturing beyond Indonesian I will undoubtedly have a whole new list of favorites by this time next year!
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Mar 28, 2014 @ 18:30:23
Yes! The food at Taco Casa is really good. Ketut, one of the owners worked in Tennessee at a Mexican restaurant and he was a quick learner. Delicious food and margaritas to make me hum. They don’t allow dogs there, though. I think they are bowing to the tourists.
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Mar 28, 2014 @ 19:24:09
Well that explains it! I would have guessed Texas, but Tennessee works. I guess the presence or absence of dogs isn’t high on my radar, but you’re right, there were no dogs joining us for dinner!
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Mar 29, 2014 @ 02:46:27
I’ve got to confess, Indonesian food lost its lustre for me after a couple of months. We found a great Mexican place in Jakarta, they made lethal Margaritas and the food was yummy. If you are ever in Sanur try Massimo’s – it’s owned and run by an Italian and the pasta and pizzas are out of this world. Lots of cheese!! 😀
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Sep 09, 2022 @ 02:22:00
Massimo is the best! And the gelato!!!!
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Sep 15, 2022 @ 08:20:44
At Mossimo, I ate the largest of the large containers they sell, with many flavors of gelato overflowing the rim. It’s the most frozen dessert of any kind I’ve ever eaten in one sitting anywhere. I polished off every bit and tolerated the gross, overstuffed feeling that lasted for hours! My bad but so good!
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Mar 29, 2014 @ 07:15:13
Thanks for the tip for Italian in Sanur! Fortunately, I’m not in the least bit tired of Indonesian, especially if someone else is willing to hunt it, kill it, drag it home, and even cook it for me!
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Mar 29, 2014 @ 08:04:25
This was such a fun post….particularly since I was part of the evening. It was really delicious and I particularly enjoyed the quality evening and conversation before I head back to “winter”. You’ve truly been a blessing.
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Mar 29, 2014 @ 08:28:47
It was super fun and I, too, found the conversation stimulating and the food delicious. You also have been a blessing. I’m so glad you ventured back to Bali!
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