Once upon a time, there was a genius named LARRY HIMMEL and this genius had a show named, "San Diego At Large."
As the name implies, it was a local San Diego show, something to throw in the 7:30 pm time slot after PM magazine. Larry Himmel previously had done human interest pieces with a comedic twist for the channel eight news, but they were mere preludes to the unsurpassed fall down laughing brilliance which he created with San Diego At Large.
I watched the show religiously throughout its all too brief three year life span. To this day, I can recite many of the sketches -- Skippy and Biff (aka North Mission Beach), Swami Sweatsocks, Tierrasanta -- from memory.
Anyway, let me get to the point. Every week or so, Larry would visit some random mall, grab some unsuspecting San Diegians, and get them to play some quiz show. The details of the quiz show are unimportant, what is important is that the contestants were playing for DINNER FOR TWO AT ROBERTO'S.
Now, for those of you not in the know, Roberto's is the epitome of cheap, greasy, C health rating, drive through Mexican food. In short, my friends and I ate there all the time in high school. The idea that someone would waste five minutes or more of their time making a fool of themselves on television in order to eat there was just too fucking funny for words.
The shtick Larry used in introducing the prize was the same every week. To wit, "ROBERTO'S! Where carne asada is king, and you'll dine in luxury! Come Tuesdays for our dinner show!"
And that is why every time I hear the words "carne asada" I simultaneously laugh and feel incredibly home sick at the same time.