Más Taco
Más Taco
I’ll be back – With hopeful yet prophetic words I grudgingly exit the best taco joint west of the Mississippi almost three years ago. But back I am! Coming off weeks of backcountry camping in Yellowstone National Park, this gem was the stuff of daily cravings. Homeward bound, Más Taco is my first destination over Beartooth Pass within tiny Red Lodge, Montana. The restaurant is just as I left it.
Famous for having the finest chow outside Yellowstone Northeast Entrance miles away, Mike has not let fortune go to his head. His passion is still fly fishing. Off-river, Más Taco gets his full attention. Many of the same people help Mike turn out plate after plate of 100% fresh ingredients blended into a perfect meal. Always an artful presentation. And chaos? Seven people working full bore in a galley kitchen. It was like my recent trip under polar ice aboard Nautilus (upcoming article, of course). Except for plenty of fresh air and sunshine. On a plate. Nature at its finest.
Bedell Guitars ◊ Bend, Oregon
AFTER HEARING ABOUT BEDELL guitars for a few years, occasionally hearing the guitar itself, always played proudly by it’s lucky owner, I finally got myself into one of the rare handful of dealers scattered across several continents. A little stonework brought me within a mile of “Arizona’s Premier Acoustic Music Shop”. Of course we speak of Acoustic Vibes Music.
Favoring a smaller guitar, perhaps a 000 with attractive wood, my eye and hand choose the Bedell Coffee House Parlor- Natural top. PLENTY of volume from this artistic meld of wood and metal. PERFECT fretboard under my fingers. Better balance than I would have guessed, perhaps the result of a 12-fret neck? The sound was deep and full. As melodies flowed from the lower strings, clear frequency response and rich sustain greeted me with every note. Higher tones punched through with life and vigor. With a Bedell like this, I’d be ready for quiet couch time, outdoor picking with the bluegrass circle, or the stage!
Adirondack Spruce with East Indian Rosewood. Ebony fretboard. Koa binding. Everything I want in an artisan-built guitar. Recently added to my short list.
Más Taco • Red Lodge MT
DRIVING OUT OF YELLOWSTONE over the Bear Tooth Pass Highway, one experiences a truly mortal encounter with their fate. Motoring above cloud cover with little between the pavement and plunge? Possibly the snow slows one down long enough to develop real appetite? Either way, out of the Pass, the first few choices are typical tourist town smack. Keep driving. A little further. To Red Lodge, my friend.
On the north edge of a very walkable business district, conveniently placed upon a corner with plenty of parking, lies the answer to life’s riddle; “How do I compete with the scenery of Bear Tooth Pass?”. Begin with one Taco Carne Asada, designed and built by Mike Muirhead. Then try a small burrito. Or another taco, different flavor?
The chips and salsa are a must. This is not the salsa you gorge upon as a mini-meal; besides, you don’t get enough in their serving. You do get a robust explosion of flavor upon their freshly-cooked chips. A value at twice the price!
My first impression was that the food far exceeded my expectations. The waitress explained the chef was from LA. I spied it in his focused, steely eyes, from the start. The passion for flavor. Seriousness for the product delivered. A professional making this one small taco joint his life.
What makes it so good? I called a few days later, and Jake gave it to me straight. Lots of work! The crew starts their day 5 hours before the 11am opening. EVERYTHING is made fresh, from scratch, daily. Trim the steak, marinate in “secret” ingredients, make the masa (corn meal dough) fresh every day, cook it to order, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!!!! And this is just for my taco! I was tired just imagining the amount of work involved! Maybe I’ll pay the $2.95 per taco, and stick to plumbing?
Make it part of your life. Find the time to make a trip to one of America’s great eateries. The Bear Tooth Pass Highway will make an excellent addition to a perfect day!
American Toolbox 