"The Only Thing We Serve Is Tongue! You Boys Like Tongue?!"

Just yesterday at lunch, I was talking with my coworkers about food. For some reason a chili cookoff was mentioned; the main point of that was discussing what a chili cookoff actually was, since they don't really have chili here, let alone chili cookoffs. I mocked Costa Rican food for being generally bland, boring, and oversalted. I also joked that if there were an international chili cookoff that featured anything spicier than cooked onion, the Costa Rican judge would be fanning his or her tongue, asking for some Tang to cool their mouth and some salt to pour on the chili.

But I digress, sort of. I did say that Costa Rican food was completely predictable and dull (as would I describe any cuisine that calls for eating rice at least three or four times a day). But I forgot about tongue. Yep, cow tongue. In the company cafeteria, no less! And at a premium price over the two "more conventional" entrees! I gotta give it to you, Costa Rica... that's pretty ballsy! Here's what it looked like:

(Yeah, freaking rice, too). So two big slices of tongue, and beneath the sauce, you can even see the texture of the taste buds. Impressive. Most impressive indeed! This picture was taken by my friend Roberto "Robby" Monterrosa. I have to admit that this is the first time I've been glad that someone near me had a cell phone! Nice shot, by the way, Se�or Monterrosa. I'll get Martha Stewart Living on the phone right away!

This is the mysterious Robby "Money-ROSE!" Monterrosa. He doesn't dig paparazzi, especially paparazzi who bug him while he's eating tongue.

The first bite. Kinda tongue-y, but tastily tender.

I asked Robby for another shot, "but less bald," so we've got this inspiring one. Thanks for the pics, Money-ROSE. And remember, "RM" are also the initials for "Renegade Moneymaker." Don't forget it.

In any case, we had tongue for lunch, and it was pretty tongue-licking good. I guess that's what you get in a country that doesn't celebrate Saint Patrick's Day.

(By the way, the quote that's the title of this blog is, of course, from The Goonies. I just never thought I'd get a chance to legitimately use it!)