Hi Tom: I’m really glad you got to meet Marie. I’m sure she’s having a tough go of it right now – hopefully she’ll make it through. I was watching D D & D Friday night and it occurred to me that eating in our vehicles these days is not unlike the once thriving drive-in culture. Being of a “certain age”, I have fond memories of those times.

It has been interesting here in NY, to say the least. I’m in the Western NY area near Buffalo. COVID numbers have been up and down with new lockdown edicts regularly issued by the governor based upon circumstances of the moment. Most dining establishments have been pretty creative and their efforts have received really good public support. A number of our regional small business owners , including those in the restaurant industry, recently launched legal challenges to the government’s practice of forbidding or severely curtailing indoor dining as well as mandating closings, and the courts have ruled in their favor. It seems there are no regulations on the books that allow this from a legal perspective. It remains to be seen how this works out long term.

I did meet and have a short chat with Marie about business conditions rather than food ingredients. Her walk-up window and takeaway model works for those who eat in their vehicles but not for those seeking either an inside (none) or outside (none) table.

Her original model was to have a few seats inside and have office workers takeout their order and bring it back to an office. (Wells Fargo Bldg. is at the 200 block of 2nd Street and adjacent to downtown businesses and government offices.)

With workers working remotely, and not in their offices, she’s not getting any where near the foot traffic she had B.C. (Before Covid). You live in upstate NY, right? How are the restaurants doing?

Tom, you sure didn’t waste any time getting to Bocadillos and I say well done insofar as timing goes – available and free parking is certainly a plus. Too bad Gil was tied up with domestic matters – he could have introduced you to Marie Yniguez – she is so creative and a really great chef. I think Sarita knows her, too. I never miss a food show when Marie is featured – I’ve seen her on D D & D as well as a number of cooking competitions and I’m looking forward to your final verdict on the “Best Reuben in Albuquerque”. Your caveat about it having a Southwestern slant is pretty important – along with that huge difference in price point.