Josh and Becca Thrap and Family

I now remember why for nigh a decade I have shyed away from Panchero’s mexican grill. (Mexican is lowercase on their logo, not ’cause I didn’t know better ) I don’t like it. It’s just not what I’ve come to love and expect in a burrito. And Kate, since I know exactly what you are going to comment about, I preemptively strike you by saying ONCE AGAIN, that I am sorry and I guarantee that I would rather sit in a hospital with you than go to Pancheros again. I’m sorry we lost that moment, but look how far we’ve come since then.
I was at Hy-Vee with all the kids (’cause you know, I’m INSANE like that!) when Josh called. He was working a quick haircut into his lunch hour and, though he remembered the coupon, he forgot the debit card! So I shuttled over to Fantastic Sam’s and parked and waited. I had been under the impression that he was nearly finished, but that must not have been the case. I waited quite some time and the kids seemed to get louder and louder despite my calls for quiet. I zoned out as I was trying to turn my ears off and it occured to me that I hadn’t eaten anything since my banana at 8:30am. It was now past 2:30pm. When I “came to” I focused in on the Panchero’s right next to Fantastic Sam’s in the strip mall. (Ankeny is way full of strip malls!) And suddenly that sounded so good. So when Josh finally emerged, hair newly coiffed (and in pieces ALL over his forehead!) I paid his bill and then he sat with the kids while I ran in for a burrito. Now he had to get back to work, so I didn’t have time to eat my monster burrito until getting it home, so there was a bit of anticipation–or, nervousness. In truth, what I ordered could have been a cold mess. Although, based on their available ingredients, it could have been way worse. It’s palatable. But not exactly good, and certainly not worth paying for. I’m eating it right now, and I think my favorite part about it was watching the lady press the tortilla. Oh, and the Mr. Pibb is good.