Retama Burger

There was an unscheduled stop today in my very busy agenda. I hadn't been to this lil burger joint in quite a while. I'm talking about years and years. Last time I went there, I think I was still in high school; back when times were less chaotic and more fun.

While figuring out dinner plans, someone threw out the idea of stopping by Retama Burger. I quickly asked whether the place was still open...that's how long it had been. From what I was told, it was still open so I dashed over remembering that the restaurant would close early. Sure enough, I got there at 7:40pm and the place closes at 8pm.

I ordered 12 burgers (2 x $1.30) and it ended coming out to 8 bucks. TWELVE burgers! While I waited for my goods to be done, I took a seat in what looked like my mom's living room. Flashbacks of my family sitting around a table came back. My grandmother loved the place so we were there often. I pictured my dad trying to stop my brothers from fighting while I stared at the pictures on the wall, bored outta my mind cuz I was a know-it-all teen. That's when I realized....I totally missed that place.

When my order was up, the restaurant's owner handed it to me and I let her know how much my family and I had enjoyed the burgers from there. She smiled and explained just how much she loved her lil business. She went on to say that she looked forward everyday to serving her customers but more than that, she loved conversing with them. She said that why she was alive and able, she was going to continue doing what she's been doing since 1982. She also made me aware that once she was gone, Retama Burger would be no more since none of her children were interested in continuing on with the business. I vowed to come back over and over and she smiled, letting me know that she would continue to be there. She wished me well and I went off into the night to go and feed the hungry crowd waiting for me.

It's places like these that make me love Laredo. The big chain restaurants are everywhere and nothing will ever bring them down. Businesses like these, built by people who do it for the love of their craft, are the ones that make an impact on me. It's more than the good food (becuz the food is awesome..and cheap!); it's the fact that my memories are attached to them.

Whenever you have the chance, head on over to Retama Burger and visit the place. I promise you won't regret it.