I'm standing there on Colfax with my cardboard sign ... well, maybe I should start this off with a little history. See, I recently lost my tattoo gig, and although Go-Go is very generous with me (the boss is reading), skid row was right around the corner. I mean I had to come up with a plan quick! I needed a gig that had flexible hours, moderate responsibility, and still allowed me time to work on my tan, ya dig?

So I got myself a piece of cardboard and a marker! Hey man, all my employment expectations were met, and there are hidden perks! "Like what?" you ask. When is the last time you saw a homeless person's shopping cart that had a wobbly wheel? Beat that, Mr. CEO head hunter! So if you were driving down Colfax and saw a big tattooed guy with a sign that said, "Will Tattoo For Food" ... that was me.

As the day wore on I started getting hungry. I had a total of $6.77. Less than seven bucks doesn't get you anything decent to eat. Or so I thought, until I came across Taki's on the corner of Colfax and Logan. As I walked in I remembered I had been here before, but it was much different then. The newly remodeled Taki's has kind of a new wave, minimalist modern vibe. Still a similar mix of peopleÑ a few

business folks, a couple of tattooed freaks, an occasional misanthropeÑ but I was the only guy packing signage! I figured with the new improved look came new improved prices, and since the food I saw looked and smelled great, I really had my doubts about getting anything for my measly few pesos.

As I looked over the menu I was blown away by what you can get for a few bucks. There was nothing on the menu over $6.50, and a lot of stuff under $2. The service is friendly and simple: you walk in, you order, they call you, you eat, and all with a smile.

I had the salmon special, a good portion of grilled salmon on a bed of white rice with steamed veggies for about $5, and washed it down with some green tea for a few more cents. It was awesome! And I still had enough change to ride the bus to the blood bank later!

I decided to talk to one of the staff, partly because I wanted a story, and partly to weasel 'em outta some more food or something. Hey, man, panhandling is a full time gig! It turns out they had a fire a while back, and after 10 months of remodeling finally reopened four months ago with the same great prices and same good food. Taki's also decided to hit a broader market by selling some of their ingredients in local health food stores, so you can create their dishes yourself.

A broader market, that was the ticket! A full stomach makes one think a little clearer! I realized, the whole tattoo for food thing was pretty ill-fated from the beginning. So I crossed out the word tattoo on my sign and wrote in a new vocation, taking up residence under the Ralph Nader sign I saw posted in the window on my way out. If you were driving past Taki's and saw a big tattooed guy with a sign that said, "Will Vote For Food" ... that was me.

B

www.noctul.com | Bottoms Up!