Today we’re meeting Terry Towery and Matt Buedel for lunch. I’ve had lunch with both of these guys on separate occasions, but today we get the treat of meeting both of them for lunch at the same time. This will squash the nasty rumor that Matt and Terry are actually the same person since they’ve never been seen together on this blog. Because, as we all know, if it hasn’t happened on MBIP, it just hasn’t happened. So let’s go make this thing a happening event already!
Off we go into the wild blue horizon. We're on our way to El Nopal, a Mexican restaurant on Prospect Avenue in Peoria Heights that's fairly new. I've passed by it many times and keep meaning to check it out and today is the day!
Here we are, but the front sign is gone and it appears to be closed. This is not good at all.
The place is up for rent, what the hell is going on here? The sign says to call Matt, but we don't have to do that because...
Matt saw me lurking around outside and it turns out he's a reader of MBIP and he called me over to the doorway of what used to be El Nopal. Matt told me that they closed recently, but there's a restaurant called, "Rumberger's Wings and More" moving in here and they'll be opening within a month or so. I'm excited because I love wings and I'm really a big fan of more!
Here's the space, which is now a work in progress. The middle part of the building is still open for rent, so if you'd like to open a business with a handy location next to a chicken wing outlet call Matt, he's a great guy and will give you a good deal, tell him you saw it on MBIP! So I had to make plans on the spur of the moment and I got hold of Matt and Terry and we decided to meet at...
El Mexicano, which is close by on Jefferson and we've been here before, so I know the food will be good and the atmosphere will be friendly.
There's dine in and carry out options here at El Mexicano.
It appears that these diners opted for the "carry out" plan and it's kind of an unfortunate view of them, but what are you going to do? It brings to mind Badfinger's last album on Apple Records.
Let's go in and let this luncheon begin.
We're inside and there's two familiar faces over there...
It's Terry Towery and Matt Buedel! Check out the sychronized chip dipping action going on at the table! Terry told me that he's on the final revision for his book, The Final Victim and it will soon be placed on submission by his literary agent, Laney Katz Becker of Lippincott, Massie, McQuilkin Inc., in New York City. Needless to say these are exciting times for Terry. Matt covers the crime beat for the PJ Star and he's always busy taking wonderful photos.
The chips and salsa here are made from scratch and they are delicious.
Ruben's our friendly waiter and took my order for a Diet Coke. I thought we'd have a drink and wait a little bit before the main order so we can take a look around in here.
Here's Gabby who we met the last time we had lunch here with Erik Reader, great to see her again!
Mexican food is cooking here in the kitchen and it looks and smells fantastic back here!
Here's Terry doing his public interpretation of Harry Nilsson's "The Point" as Matt stops dipping chips in respect for this noble performance. Very impressive!
A framed review of El Mexicano from the PJ Star sits over here in the corner. They got three stars.
Okay, the pressure is on, time to order our main course. Hmmm...what should I order...I know...
I'm going to try the new Bacon Cheesy Dog with Cheese Fries. Hooray!
Terry tries to hypnotize Ruben with his patent-pending, "Terry Stare."
Ruben is unfazed by the "Terry Stare," but Matt appears to be under Terry's demonic spell. I'm a little concerned at this point but luckily service is fast here...
And a plate full of chorizo sausage, tortillas and chopped onions have brought Matt back to reality. Thank you God!
Terry got two tacos.
Here's the aforementioned Bacon Cheesy Dog with Cheese Fries. The bacon is wrapped around the hot dog and everything is slathered with melted cheese. Oh how I love to write the word, "slathered," especially when it's referring to melted cheese.
Mustard and pepper have been added to the mix and it's time to take this doggie for a test ride to my tastebuds.
Oh my God, this is unbelievable! I'm going to rename this dish, "Orgasm On A Bun," yes it's that good!
Wait a second...what's this?
Something magical is just about to happen...
It’s Sombrero Time! A time of proud, manly swarthiness that is very difficult to put into descriptive words. Think: Ricardo Montalban getting a handjob from Anita Ekberg in the backseat of a Cordoba trimmed in the finest Corinthian leather and you’ll be pretty gosh-darned close to the unique and satisfying feeling that is...Sombrero Time!
Adios amigos, we'll see you all tomorrow!
El Mexicano
1520 NE Jefferson Ave.
Peoria
309-636-8858
Related Posts: Lunch With...Matt Buedel At El Zarape, Lunch With...Terry Towery and Lunch With...Erik Reader @ El Mexicano.