Zagat Ocracoke

I give Eduardo's food cart a ten out of ten! Ocracoke has a year round population of Norteamericanos from Mexico and of Mexican heritage, and finally we have a place to reliably buy authentic, fresh, flavorful, satisfying, affordable meals from this heritage cuisine! Eduardo is a chef at the Back Porch Restaurant during the season. Unlike many of us, he isn't idling away the winter months, but is serving up chilaquiles, burritos and other traditonal fare from the kitchen truck parked at The Variety Store. Think seasoning, not seasonal.

You can call ahead or stop in and order, run to the Post Office, and pick it up on your way home. Eduardo makes plates to order, so no tamales. Instead I will savor his deliciosa tortas, and look forward to the renegade merchants selling shredded meat wrapped in steamed masa out of the backs of cars during the summer.

Here's to having it all: hushpuppies, fish cakes, clam fritters, and diversity. Count me as one happy gringa.