L&L Hawaiian Barbeque – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
It’s amusing to reflect back on what children of my generation considered funny during the prehistoric days before Nintendo, iPhones and even before color television. As children were apt to do, we found humor in terms related to scatalogical and bodily functions such as caca, poo poo, pee pee and moco. The latter is the Spanish term for booger. Our reaction to learning that Hawaiians actually ate “loco moco” (which translates from Spanish to “crazy boogers”) would have beeen simultaneously raucous and nauseating. Sure, most of us grew up eating chicharrones, menudo and morsillas, but only a crazy person would admit to eating boogers. Hawaiians do indeed eat loco moco, but it has nothing to do with boogers, crazy or sane. Loco moco is a contemporary (circa 1949) and simple Hawaiian dish consisting of rice, a hamburger patty, and an egg smothered in a savory gravy. As to the genesis of the name, the loco moco was named for a Hawaiian boy nicknamed “Loco.” “Moco” was added simply because it rhymed and sounded mellifluous. During my perigrinations across the country, I’ve had loco moco a number of times. Though palatable enough, it never struck me as particularly memorable. “If only,”…
