"I'll have the Fish Tacos and a Mango with no salt, please"

When I walked into Z Tejas on a referral to apply as a hostess way back in 2003, I had never tried their food. I was hired and therefore enjoyed the free training meals provided as standard practice. Although I don't remember the first thing I tried, all I know is that I keep going back.

Here we are in present time, September 27th, 2010 and I have just devoured another plate of the ever-so-delicious Z Tejas Catfish Tacos. Not only are they irresistible to the point that even when I intend to get something different, (because all of it REALLY is SO GOOD) my mouth starts to water thinking about their one of a kind Asian Dipping Sauce. You'd think I know how to make it since I worked there for 2 1/2 years, but nope. I guess some things are meant to stay a mystery.

What else must I consume while taking in the delight of one of the three Z patios? A frozen Mango Margarita (or three), of course. No salt, please. Just the perfect blend of creamy fruit puree and tangy tequila... there's nothing else like it.

Other stanbys include the Ahi Tuna Appetizer, Queso, Shrimp Tostada Bites, Fried Snapper, Miso Salmon, the Mushroom or Seafood Enchiladas, Chicken Avocado Sandwhich, Diablo Pasta... and you can't forget about the salads! The servers used to tease me that I was having my usual "Ranch Soup" when I took the liberty of making my own salads back in the day... I probably did over do it. But it was so good! Apart from the House Z Salad with their homemade Ranch, the Pecan Crusted Chicken, Jerk Chicken and Trout Salads are to-die-for. It's honestly hard to decide each and every time.

When I was finally able to dine at Z Tejas without feeling like I still worked there, it occurred to me that it was the food that kept bringing me back. Not the joy of seeing old buddies or that I live within walking distance of the place, but that I and everyone I know genuinely love the food. That's why I was a bit worried that the menu would change when Jack Gilmore, Executive Chef (and the genius that wrote Z's menu) left to open his own place, Jack Allen's, which is just as awesome, but on the opposite side of town. Who was I kidding? If I was able to recognize that it's the food that draws the crowd in, surely the big wigs know how important it is.

The most astonishing thing about some of my favorite dishes at Z is that they include two ingredients that I cannot stand. Some people don't believe me, but I don't like bacon. I never have and never will. In fact I hate it. I hate the smell, the texture, the taste-everything about it. So what kind of dressing does the Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad have? A warm bacon vinaigrette. And I love it! Mainly because it happens to not taste much like bacon to me and instead lures me into submission with the warm goat cheese and perfectly cooked chicken.

The second thing I despise is cilantro. I never really knew why I didn't like it until someone pointed out that it tastes like soap. How did I not put my finger on this before?! It has such an aroma, like a terrible perfume that has expired and sat in the sun. The idea that people like the way that tastes just blows my mind. But, I hear it's a genetic thing: You either have the palate for it or you don't. I still don't understand why my sister feels the same way about bananas. Bananas! Anyway, the Pan Fried Snapper is drenched in a cilantro pesto cream sauce. Alas, it does not taste like cilantro to me. I think it is because they got 2 out of 3 right: pesto and cream vs. the lone cilantro. Either way, it's the one thing with cilantro in it that I can eat without making faces you'd think were reserved for hangovers.

And with such a wallet-pleasing happy hour (1/2 priced apps and $1 off margaritas from 4-7 in the whole place), I can enjoy my fish taco and mango pair for a cool $11.55. Who can resist?? Not to mention the free-with-food-purchase cornbread. Psst! The secret to how moist they get it is Plain Dannon Yogurt.

So... as a tribute to my once employer and now favorite food provider, I will make one statement: If I were to have to eat at one restaurant for the rest of my life, Z Tejas would be it. Take that, Taco Bell.