The weird thing to realize is, when we were kids, my friend's mom would send her down to the local market to pick up cigarettes for her. When L. was maybe nine or ten (it was just a couple of blocks). And no one batted an eye.

I did that once for my mother at that age, and they wouldn't sell them to me. This surprised both my mother and me, since we both never considered that anyone might think I'd smoke - all I ever did was hassle my mother about quitting! (She eventually did.)

There is a Qdoba right outside the door of my office, and I am trying to break the habit of going there every other day, because I can never resist the rice, and frequently get the tortilla anyway. But I like the soup.

My husband and I often (jokingly) argue about what food is the essential essence of Taco Bell. I insist it's the bean burrito; for him it's the Mexi-melt. We each follow the rule of no matter what else you get, you have to get the [bean burrito or Mexi-melt].

I like Moe's food a lot, but that "Welcome to Moe's!" shouting business makes me crazy.

Man, I used to love the Mexi-Melt (without pico). I don't think I've had one in years, having switched over mostly to supreme tacos.

The Mexi-Melt was a late 80's addition to the Taco Bell menu, so I'd have a hard time saying that it's part of their essence. That would have to be one of the core items like the hard shell taco and the bean burrito.

I used to love the Mexican Pizza but I don't do Taco Bell anymore.

I used to love the Mexican Pizza but I don't do Taco Bell anymore.

That was good, huh? Mmmmm, Mexican Pizza. I don't know if that's even on the menu. I remember getting that when I moved to Cali in the 80s.

I've never been to a Taco Bell. I'm also not a huge fan of Mexican food in general, mostly from lack of exposure, which is sad because I've lived in several places with unexpectedly large Mexican populations and lots of authentic restaurants (Cincinnati - or, properly, northern KY, NC, and now GA.) I think it's like sushi - if you don't develop a taste by the time you graduate from college, it's too late for you (by which I mean me).

Trudy's right, Taco Bell is a godsend for veggies on the road. Although a few times I've had the unwelcome surprise of meat on a "vegetarian taco".

We do have a lot of the Mexicans here.

Yup, that's what I learned after I expressed my astonishment at how fantastic the food was. It's a little hole in the wall with the best damned shrimp I've ever tasted.

When Steve gave me his old grill this summer, grilled fish tacos became a once-a-week staple. So damned good. And relatively healthy. We're grilling fish tonight, too; maybe I should go buy some cabbage and tortillas...hmmmm.

The weirdest fact I ever learned was that the Taco Bell in the middle of the Mission is actually the busiest Taco Bell in the world. Ironic?

I think it's like sushi - if you don't develop a taste by the time you graduate from college, it's too late for you (by which I mean me).

Really? Because it's mostly just grilled meat and rice and beans. That seems so basic to me. Surely salsa (pico de gallo) and guacamole aren't exotic anymore.

It's not a whole new palate experience of raw cod roe and wasabi.