I am surprised how deeply and genuinely I regret purchasing the worst tacos I have eaten in my entire life from a place called Rusty's Tacos in the DCA airport a few days ago. I didn't get sick, not even the runs, but the sheer quality of the food is what did me in.
$18.95
That was the price for two 'tacos', and I can only use this term in the very loosest of meanings for the absolute mess that was handed to me by the albeit quite cute, but much to young for me, cashier. In any other realm these tacos by measure would be considered mini tacos, but for just two, $18.85. Barely larger than the width of my palm.
On first appearance they look like something one would have fished out of a waterlogged dumpster. Like an over-steamed bao bun, or a pair of small soggy diapers, leaking some brown substance unidentifiable by smell or sight which I believe was supposed to pass for steak. No veggies to speak of, save for a single withered slice of red pepper that disintegrated to mush when I lightly prodded it with my index finger.
The taste was pathetic, verging on barely edible. The texture was like refried beans that had been mixed with sand, wrapped in a wet paper towel.
It was a shameful meal. I looked around at the other customers. All were sitting in silence, no doubt suffering alongside myself. The people in line seemed so happy, optimistic with naivete at the potential of their delicious taco lunch. The people eating in the sitting area, a grey mass of hunched silent suffering and downcast glances. Not looking up, not wanting to admit to the clear mistake they had made for lunch. Some of them tipped.
This was the worst meal I have had in recent memory, easily. I know it's airport food, but goddamn! The food's not trapped in there with you, you are trapped in there with it.
$18.95 DUDE, and I didn't even get a drink!