Doc Kaalberg
pull up COYA COFFEE , I see a grown man in the parking lot sitting quietly in his work truck.
He catches my eye because I see him with a half-unwrapped burrito in his hand and tears streaming down his face. I’m genuinely worried, but I haven’t eaten yet today and he seems like he wants to be left alone.
Inside Coyas is like part candy store and magic tender kitchen. I ordered the Carne Asada Burrito and the Carne Asada Tostadas. Monday is for meat eaters.
A glass bottle of Mexican Coke, and an order later, I’m back in the parking lot next to my brother in a burrito. His face seems to have cleared up and he gives me a half-smile and a nod before pulling out of the parking lot. I start my car and turn on the radio. I have a long drive home so I think a bite or two will help me out. I sink my teeth in for the first bite and Enya starts playing the radio.
Who can say where the road leads
Where the day flows, only timeAnd who can tell if your love grows
The flavor hits me so hard that tears run down my face.
God, I can’t believe I waited so long for this.
I can no longer imagine my life without that of Coya.
The taste is so amazing.
So fresh.
As I come to the end of this magic burrito trip, another car pulls up.
I raise my burrito to him, offering a smile and a nod.
He takes his hat off, knowingly. I wipe my tears and leave.
Doc Kaalberg is a 35-year-old native local QC. He has traveled the world and has found his home here. He served in the famed 1st Infantry Division as a combat medic and after being wounded in action retired to Moline, Illinois. Doc spends his free time blogging and writing food reviews for the local QC food scene.
