One spring afternoon in 5th grade, I stumbled through one of many cold gray hallways in my suburban Maine middle school on my way to Home Economics class. We didn't learn a thing about economics, or how to run a home, but we did learn how to cook a bunch of random shit and on this particular day we were going to learn how to make "churros." I never forgot it.
Our teacher, a native Mainer, pronounced it CHUH-roe and I wondered if there should have been a rolling, purring, engine running sound somewhere in there, but what did I know? We made a lot of fried food in Home Ec.: Donut holes, french fries, fried chicken. Nothing I've ever dared to repeat considering I've never had an industrial friolator in any of my kitchens since 5th grade.
In any case, what we ate that afternoon, huddled around a tattered formica counter-top, bore little resemblance to the greasy, sugar-coated, ribbed-for-my-pleasure snack that I enjoyed this afternoon. (But I still loved it and have craved it ever since).
Today my craving was fulfilled when a plate of 9 hot churros came to my table along with three Mexican hot chocolates (thick, dark, and bitter hot) that also served as a perfect dipping sauce for the crispy sweet donut wands. P.S. I was with my mother and friend and did not order three hot chocolates although I certainly could have handled it.
The place, San Agustin Chocolates & Churros is also known for the fact that it is owned by former Mexican model and actress Maria Gralia, who sat regally in the corner of the joint, underneath dozens of posters that displayed her younger, tighter face. She stood periodically for a photo with eager Mexico City tourists. I thought she was Sharon Stone the whole time until my mother explained.
I couldn't stop snapping photos of my plate which may have offended her considering she was sitting just a few seats away. Oh well. A girl has priorities.
