“Take a plate”

This is what the plates of which Mexicans speak look like. This one is from Stella’s niece’s wedding in Houston, which was very festive. Hundreds of people, a disco ball and a giant cake under an arch — and bottles of tequila on top of tables covered in glitter.

Initially, caterers were handling the meal, but just as we got there, they ran out of food. Everyone still in line just sort of lingered, unwilling to believe there was no food. And we were rewarded. Out of nowhere, relatives of the groom wheeled in giant containers of home-cooked meat, rice and beans and tortillas wrapped in foil. The people who’d already eaten the catered meal got in line again because it all smelled so good.

Rice, potato salad and carne asada on Styrofoam