E Bar

Friendships and food are a funny thing, especially when they’re tightly linked to a particular place. Primo’s on McKinney Avenue was, for more than a decade or so I guess, where I met everyone at one time or another. I went there for first dates and anniversaries. To celebrate birthdays. To mourn deaths. For no reason at all.

The salsa was reliable and spicy. The guac, always fresh. And the margaritas, limey and strong.

The truth is, I forgot about Primo’s while I was in Paris, and when it closed, it had been so long since I’d been there, I barely felt a pang of sadness. Out of sight, I guess.

But being back in Dallas for the summer means spending time with friends I’ve not seen much in years, so when my pal Marissa said E Bar was the new Primo’s, under a new name and new location — it’s owned by Eddie Cervantes, who sold Primo’s in 2008 — off we went on a balmy 100-degree day to share a light snack of beef fajita nachos. Just like we used to.

The beer was cold and still served in small glasses, and even the tortilla chips were the same as the ones they used to serve at Primo’s. It’s funny the things you remember.