good job, taco bell -- cantina comida

Did I really just type that?

But yeah, great move by the powers that be at Taco Bell (yes, Taco Bell!).

Maybe it's the fact that I'm a Texas expat living [way too] far from the land of taco trucks and anything even remotely resembling decent Mexican food. But Taco Bell's recent menu addition -- Cantina tacos -- has this girl from Lone Star Land nodding in approval.

Their new line of tacos are billed as fresh, simple and relatively healthy -- both the chicken and steak Cantina tacos only have 2.5 grams of fat (170 and 160 calories). The carnitas (pork) are a bit more, but definitely still a respectable meal. Here's TB's description of the steak taco:

Two freshly grilled, warm corn tortillas filled with marinated steak then topped off with freshly chopped onions and cilantro, and served with a freshly sliced lime wedge for a fresh, citrus burst of flavor.

You had me at cilantro (and lime, and corn tortilla!).

We were suckers for advertising yesterday and made a run to the border after seeing 'em advertise on TV. Although one could never be mistaken for un taco autentico purchased at a border town cantina, they're a decent (note "decent" not delicious) substitute when you're jonesing for something fast, and don't much feel like a "gordita" or any other orange-cheese concoction with the term "BellGrande" in it's name.

Anyway, they'll do when you're living in New England and there's no better alternative ... at least until Christmas time when I'm visiting back home and sinking my teeth into the real thing.

So again, two thumbs up to Taco Bell for at least making the effort.