Los Amigos, Mi Amigo

I hope my brief absence from posting hasn't turned away my three loyal readers. If so, I'll call you guys up and apologize personally. Or better yet, I'll buy a round of root beer floats. That sounds good...

After 10 days without local foodie tidbits, I hate to break in with sad news, but I feel it is my duty to do so. Cruising down 3rd Street the other day, this sign made me stop in my tracks:

Los Amigos. Closed. No "fresh tamales" on the sign. No "Friday evening fajita buffet". Just closed with a date. Like a tombstone.

The people who ate at Los Amigos adored Los Amigos. I count myself among them. They made The Best Salsa. The chicken tortilla soup was amazing. It was the only place in town you could get authentic tamales. The tacos were handmade. The arroz con leche reminded me of our Mexican honeymoon. One year Celia, the owner, brought out flan with a candle in it for my birthday. My little nephew liked the sleeping sombrero statue by the counter. Oh, the nostalgia...

Dear Celia, I know the restaurant was wearing on her. The prices of tomatoes were skyrocketing; her children were off starting their own lives without plans to return to Bismarck and run the family restaurant; it was hard to find good help in a town suddenly overrun with eateries. There were a million and one reasons to shut the doors everyday, but she kept it going.

However, there is no shame in closing. I'm actually thankful that Celia may have a moment to rest now. I'm just going to miss that place. And if I can ever track her down, I'll be begging for that salsa recipe. And the chicken tortilla soup recipe. And the arroz con leche...