While Kirk is preparing to share more of his exotic Anatolian and Aegean adventures and Cathy is getting ready to give us the inside skinny about the SD County Fair (Deep Fried What??), ed (from Yuma) wants to rework the old Monty Python skit into – "beans, beans, beans, beans, and . . . "
Both Tudor's and the grocery store are no more.
We all know about restaurants that went under during the Great Recession. On the other hand, a tasty new addition to the Yuma dining scene is just perfect for economic hard times. Hidden inside Tamarack Grocery Store on 24th across from the main parking lot at the college is Tudor's Beanery:
Open at 11 AM every day, this small food purveyor sells to-go cups, pints, and quarts of different bean soups kept warm in several slow cookers:
When I get home with my savory purchase, I open the Styrofoam quart and I smell the wonderful aromas wafting up from (in this case) a type called Mama's:
As you can see, this mildly flavored soup is full of vegetables, beans, and meatballs:
As I heat it a saucepan, it smells better and better and I spot the bits of bacon that add to the flavor. It's serious good:
Another variety that uses white beans is the ham and potato – another mildly flavored soup:
As with this soup, occasionally you will find bits of char when the soups have not been stirred vigorously enough, but I've never had one where the burned bottom crust was very evident or hurt the taste at all:
In addition to mildly flavored white bean soups, Tudor's offers many soups using pinto beans and bolder border flavors, such as this smokey and spicey Bacon and Chorizo:
Or the picante light red chile flavors of carne Asada:
With chicken, it's Pollo Asado:
Then the greener flavors of Pollo Verde:
And the really tasty Chile Verde with pork:
The varieties change, and there are daily specials. Split Pea is made on Saturdays, for example. Others feature Tamarack Grocery's homemade pork sausages. Every time I'm there, I can choose from among 6 or 7 types.
And I have enjoyed every single soup I have purchased at the store – all are savory and full of umami. They are better than I can make at home. Not to mention the convenience of somebody else cooking. And can't beat the prices. Fresh hot quarts sell for $4.99; cold quarts (leftovers) are $2.99 — when there are leftovers. Cornbread and coleslaw are also available.
Tudor's Beanery may be a one trick pony – but give this pinto pony a ride, cowboys. And don't you dare think about Blazing Saddles.
Tudor's Beanery, 7875 E. 24th St, 11 AM – 7 PM daily.