(Not the actual soda fountain in the entry.)

I had lunch today at a favorite local Mexican place. I ordered the usual: Carne asada burrito, side of chips and a small fountain soda. I paid the cashier and took the Styrofoam cup I received in return. I walked over to the restaurant’s Coca-Cola fountain, pushed the cup against the ice lever, and filled the cup to the correct level (there is only ONE correct level) with ice and then moved the cup over to the fountain’s Coke dispenser. Immediately after pressing the cup against the cola-release switch, I knew there was a problem. What should’ve been a steady stream of Mr. Pemberton’s sweet syrupy concoction was punctured by the dreaded chugging sound that, all too often these days, plagues the soda fountains of America. I wasn’t surprised to see that, as the cup began to fill, there was very little carbonation in the soda. I knew I was in for disappointment. Sure enough, upon my first gulp of the (not-so) fizzy drink, the beverage’s shortcomings were revealed. It seemed as though the Tacos de Acapulco soda fountain had failed me. Now, it wasn’t the worst fountain Coke I had ever had. There was still enough Coke-y magic in there to keep it mildly flavorful. I drank that first cup of soda while eating, and once I finished the beverage, I returned to the soda fountain. I dumped the ice and remaining drops of soda out of the cup and into the fountain’s recycle grate (or whatever that is). I added some fresh ice (once again, only the correct amount) and decided to go for a different drink. This time, I chose the venerable Dr. Pepper. You see, Dr. Pepper is almost always a safe bet from the soda fountain. There’s something about the good Dr.’s bite that usually overpowers even the weakest fountain mixtures. Well today, it seems that the Dr. was NOT in. My auxiliary beverage choice turned out to be even less satisfying than my first. Like the Coke, the Pepper was flat. It had just enough of that famous Dr Pepper zing! though that I knew there was no turning back. Had I just abandoned the D.P. to the fountain’s recycle grate and then refilled my cup with Coke, the cola would’ve certainly taken on odd twinges of Pepper-y badness, and that would’ve just made everything lousy. I continued on with my eatings, and gulped down the soda only when absolutely necessary. I’d say better than half of that second cup’s worth of soda went unconsumed. I’ve decided that, while I will continue to enjoy the excellent victuals prepared with loving care by the Tacos de Acapulco staff, I’ll be getting my beverages elsewhere.

(Here’s some photos I took at the place, by the way:)