Fun Fact
Southern Pacific: Crossing the plains, this historic line's Southwest tracks transported the green chiles that inspire our griddled Denver-reunion tacos, served with a side of acid-jazz grooves.
Chapter 1
Leaving New York: Midnight departures and the spit-roasted al pastor
Chapter 2
Crossing the plains: Denver reunions and the griddled green chile taco
Chapter 3
The edge of the continent: San Francisco cool and the crispy Baja fish taco
Chapter 4
The ultimate destination: Mexico City and the slow-stewed birria of the soul
Ch 2 · Crossing the plains: Denver reunions and the griddled green chile taco
choko Denver Green Chile Tacos
Griddled on the steel, Smothered in the green, Back in Mile High!
choko The historical shift from corn to flour tortillas along the US-Mexico border mirrors the changing, rugged landscapes Sal crossed.
Fun Fact
Flour tortilla history: Flour tortillas were invented in northern Mexico during the 1500s because Spanish settlers couldn't grow wheat for bread and adapted local corn-tortilla methods.
choko The rhythmic clatter of the Southern Pacific railroad lines Sal rode is translated into the steady, syncopated basslines of instrumental funk.
Glossary
denver (noun)
The capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Sal Paradise traveled to Colorado's capital to meet his fellow writers and share spicy local street food.
The capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Sal Paradise traveled to Colorado's capital to meet his fellow writers and share spicy local street food.
Quiz
Which major railroad line did Sal Paradise hitchhike and ride during his travels across the American West?
BETA
choko Grill the green chile taco to discover how Denver's reunions inspired this iconic border flavor.
Quiz
In Jack Kerouac's novel, which Colorado city serves as the chaotic, energetic meeting point for Sal and Dean's western reunion?
Quiz
Which real-life Beat writer inspired the charismatic, fast-talking character Dean Moriarty in 'On the Road'?
Quiz
What color palette is most iconic to the wireframe grids and digital suns of vaporwave-style desert landscapes?
Quiz
What regional pepper, famous in New Mexico and Colorado, forms the spicy base of Denver's iconic green chile?
Quiz
What technique involves griddling a flour tortilla with cheese and meat until it is crispy, a staple of border-style tacos?
Quiz
Unlike southern Mexico's corn tortilla dominance, which grain is traditionally used to make tortillas along the northern US-Mexico border?