My father was known for his love of and insatiable curiosity about food. Maybe that was because of his upbringing in East Texas where he had plenty of fried chicken and chicken fried steak, but nothing “exotic” like spaghetti or Chinese food (until he met my mother)! He was also known for choosing the most unusual item on the menu, just to try it. He was probably the first person I knew who tried squid in it own ink in Spain. The strangest to me and the one that made me gag a little was the dish of sparrows he had in rural France. Those tiny, bony bodies…yuck.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, I inherited that love of food. I often follow his lead, outside of organ meats or strong cheeses, to try the strangest thing on the menu. Lots of menu items are unusual here or different, but “guacamole with mussels” seemed truly odd!! When I inquired of the waiter as to what exactly it was, he said “ah…secrets of the chef.” Then it came, and lo, it was a bed of guacamole with chopped cooked mussels on top. Bizarro. I would have taken a photo of it, but my phone was dead!
Another strange dish that is popular here is “migas,” which are not like Tex Mex migas, but a big bowl of bread crumbs with a fried egg or something else on top, and, strangely, grapes. I had to order it just once, but I couldn’t believe I was eating a bowl of bread crumbs!
Another menu item that caught my eye was on McDonald’s billboards –french fries with bacon. You can get just bacon, or bacon and cheese, or bacon and barbecue sauce. I haven’t been to McDonald’s since my kids were small, but I am going to have to try fries with BACON!! I just read they’re coming to the US in 2019!
I’m certain there will be an update to this entry before the end of my time here!!
PS I’m proud to say this love of food was inherited by Fred’s grandchildren!
Susie's Senior Year Abroad 
The great Dr. Fred Dorsey! He was a good man with a big appetite and a big heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You didn’t say if the guacamole and mussels were good?!? I bet they were. I hope your living your best life.
LikeLike
They were gross. Wesley ate them!
LikeLike
At the restaurant down from The Mark he had Sandabs and I had sweetbreads. I had never heard of sandabs . I don’t know about your bread thing or the guacamole and mejillones :-0
LikeLike
Susie;
It appears that you are having a great time. Loved your story about your dad. Still miss Sunday breakfast with you. My father passed away four weeks ago. My mother has severe Alzheimers and still asks where he is constantly. My brothers keep telling her that he is in the bathroom. I told them they had to stop doing that because he won’t ever be coming out of the bathroom. She hasn’t recognized me in over a year. Send more pictures.
Don
> WordPress.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry to hear about your Dad, Don.
Reminds me of when one of Mother’s dogs died. They looked very similar. She never figured it out.
LikeLike
Love the story about your dad! My mom and aunt think he was the best doctor ever! Regarding the food that you’re eating, you know I would lose about 30 pounds if I had to eat strange things! LOL… 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Probably true! Ha ha.
LikeLike
Yes you are certainly keeping that Fred Dorsey legacy in existence. Bon appétit
LikeLiked by 1 person
don, very sorry about your loss. hope you are otherwise well. we had a friend whose father had dementia for about 4 years before he died. at the beginning of the dementia, when his wife died, they told him 3 days in a row and 3 days in a row it was new info and raw pain and he wept each time. after that, they would tell him she was at the grocery store or at the beauty parlor, etc. all places that she normally went. he accepted it all. it’s much easier than trying to be honest about something that he wouldn’t remember anyway in less than 5 minutes otherwise. sometimes, it’s just easier to distract.
LikeLike