"As a general rule, we love cafes that do double duty: barbecue & bait shop, catfish parlor & upholsterer or, in this case, Tex-Mex diner and car wash. Window tables afford a view of your vehicle being scrubbed and dried. Counter stools face the other way, towards the even more fascinating food-prep area."
Michael Stern
"From my seat at the counter, I was mesmerized as I watched cheese-stuffed chiles being floured prior to getting dipped in batter and then fried."
Michael Stern
"The batter into which the chiles are dipped is light as foam. After being coated, they are floated in boiling oil one at a time."
Michael Stern
"Available only on request, and only if Artimisa has made some from chiles de arbol, this hot salsa is really, really hot."
Michael Stern
"A view of the snug counter at the H&H Car Wash & Cafe. The woman at the left is Artimisa, who makes the hot sauce."
Michael Stern
"We've never seen huevos rancheros prepared this way anywhere else. They are topped with a buttery gravy laced with onions and peppers. Those are refried beans at the left and fried potatoes at the right. Tortillas are essenteial for mopping the last of the refritos and gravy from the plate."
Michael Stern
