<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SaYh-DgYTgI/AAAAAAAAAt8/oTF_iThSXZM/s1600-h/DSC03814-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SaYh-DgYTgI/AAAAAAAAAt8/oTF_iThSXZM/s400/DSC03814-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306966560879431170" border="0" /></a>Tonight: my little baby-man's first birthday. A trip to the park. A tired husband overburdened with homework. A half-written <a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/02/got-art-plus-giveaway.html">TDT post on what's going on in the Tulsa art scene this weekend and a giveaway</a> begging to be finished - ASAP, of course. Because the local art scene pretty much explodes with activity this weekend, I wanted to make sure you all had plenty of time to shuffle your plans and cancel anything boring so you could pack your bags and check it out.<div><br /></div><div>To make a long story short, I could have used a quick, delicious, healthful dinner option for my little family tonight. Local restaurants are always a bonus when I can't cook the evening meal myself.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A run to <a href="http://tacobueno.com/">Taco Bueno</a>, while not particularly delicious, healthful or local, managed to save dinner tonight. But, starting tomorrow, one of my favorite lunch spots in all of Tulsa, <a href="http://elotetulsa.com/">Elote Cafe &amp; Catering</a>, will be open in the evenings.<br /><br />Elote: Quick? Check. Healthful? Uh-huh. Local and delicious? Checkity check check-a-roo.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I would sign my next paycheck over to Elote right now, except their prices are so affordable. So, I not only get to keep the jingle in my pocket, but I also get to stuff myself with dishes like Chicken Puffy Tacos and the Smokin' Hot Quesadilla for more meals than I do already.<br /><br />I don't even have to worry too much about my waistline or what I'm going to have to do to counteract the chemicals I ingest when I succumb to fast food. Elote Chef Libby Auld, who's training includes a stint with <a href="http://www.rickbayless.com/">renowned chef of Mexican cuisine Rick Bayless</a>, is all about using healthful, organically-grown food in her fresh-Mex creations. She even sources her ingredients from local vendors and farmers. </div><div><br /></div><div>You know what? I just can't say enough bright, shiny things about Libby Auld. Believe me, <a href="http://tulsabusiness.com/article.asp?aID=46820679.1554376.628134.8712536.5035298.705&amp;aID2=48309">I've tried</a>. And <a href="http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A25007">tried</a>. And <a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2008/07/hola-elot.html">tried</a>. And <a href="http://tulsabusiness.com/article.asp?aID=36820796.18967402.617253.6823939.7285562.304&amp;aID2=47472">tried</a>. </div><div><br /></div>Can I say just one more good thing about her? She's generous. Know why? She gave me a pass for the first dinner service at Elote to giveaway to one lucky TDT reader.<div><br /></div><div>Up for grabs is a $20 gift certificate to the soft opening tomorrow night (Thursday, Feb. 26) at Elote. To enter to win it, leave your answer to this question in the comments: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">What excites/irks you most about dining downtown?</span> </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll randomly pick and post a winner tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 26) at 1 p.m. Good luck, and puffy tacos! </div>