A Lifelong Quest, One Delicious Bite at a Time

Tuna nachos, margaritas, and a very serious sandwich critic

I swear Memories Architect isn’t just about food. There will be other subjects. Probably. But we have to eat two or three times a day, which makes food a pretty wonderful opportunity to turn something we’re already doing into something we’ll remember. Sometimes that means gathering people around a flour-covered kitchen counter. Sometimes it means pursuing a plate of tuna nachos with the dedication other people reserve for training for a marathon.

We all have our gifts.

The day the angels sang

I live in Key West about seven or eight months of the year, surrounded by incredible restaurants and an alarming number of things I’d like to order. Years ago, somewhere on this little island, I discovered tuna nachos: sushi-grade raw tuna atop fried wonton chips, dressed with some combination of seaweed salad, wasabi, ginger, and sriracha mayo. The details vary from restaurant to restaurant, a fact I have confirmed through extensive and unscientific research.

At the first bite, I heard angels sing. I understood immediately that I would be spending the rest of my life seeking the perfect tuna nacho. Some people discover a calling to medicine or public service. Mine involves wontons. And burgers.

Perhaps this is hereditary. My mother has been on a quest to find the world’s most perfect margarita for years. She’s come very close, but she has yet to declare the work complete. There could always be a better one around the next corner, and it would be irresponsible to stop investigating.

Some reunions come with wonton chips

In my own quest, a moment of tuna nacho nirvana occurred at Smokin’ Tuna, a Key West institution. For me, it’s the chips. Perfectly fried wontons that deliver all that tuna goodness with a delicious crunch. Every ingredient matters, of course, but the delivery mechanism deserves some respect. Nobody wants their heavenly bite collapsing halfway to their mouth.

Then Smokin’ Tuna closed because of lease issues, and those nachos became something I could only reminisce about. A reopening was promised, but it took a while, thanks to a collection of circumstances we’ll chalk up to small-town politics and local lore. On an island this small there is always a story. Usually several competing versions.

But Smokin’ Tuna is back. And so are the nachos.

I visited last night during the soft launch, ahead of the grand reopening on Thursday, October 15, and there they were: those beautiful, perfectly fried chips, carrying all that tuna goodness. It was a heavenly reunion and a delicious reminder of why so many of us had been waiting for this place to return. Some people get emotional over a love song. I just need a plate of nachos.

My husband has a sandwich dossier

Of course, I’m not the only person in our household with a food quest. Wade’s is the Cuban sandwich, and he takes his responsibilities seriously. He has detailed notes on every Cuban he’s tried on the island and approaches the annual Cuban Sandwich Throwdown in April like a decorated food critic preparing to bestow a career-defining honor.

I admire his commitment, even if I occasionally wonder whether a sandwich should have this much supporting documentation. And a word of advice: do not get between him and the Cuban Hunger Killer at the Marlin Cafe food truck or the Authentic Cuban at Sandy’s Cafe. I cannot guarantee your safety in that situation.

Between his Cubans, my tuna nachos, and my mother’s margaritas, our family has several important research initiatives underway. We appreciate your respect during this ongoing work.

Give your appetite a little adventure

That’s what I love about a food quest. It gives an ordinary meal a little anticipation, a reason to try somewhere new, and something fun to share with your people. You might take a scenic detour for a promising slice of pie, meet friends to compare tacos, or spend an afternoon discussing whether the reigning champion still deserves its crown. Everyone gets an opinion, and some people will arrive prepared to defend theirs with the passion of a courtroom attorney.

Pick something you love and start looking. Pizza, crab cakes, cinnamon rolls, dumplings, ice cream, the perfect crispy French fry. Your quest can stay close to home or travel with you. You can invite your partner, your friends, your family, or that person who always has a restaurant recommendation and has clearly been waiting their entire life for this assignment.

I highly recommend keeping a shared document or a note on your phones. Write down where you went, what you ordered, and what made it memorable. Include the important details: excellent crunch, generous filling, disappointing lime situation. Add a photo or a line about who was there and what made you laugh. Eventually, you’ll have a little collection of outings and memories tucked between the rankings. You’ll remember the meal, but also the rainy afternoon, the visiting friend, or the conversation that kept everyone at the table long after the plates were cleared.

And yes, this counts as figuring out dinner

This is the kind of memory-making I want to help people find: something that fits into the life you’re already living and gives you more moments to look forward to, share, and remember. We’re busy. We’re hungry. We’re going to have to make a dinner decision anyway. A food quest gives that familiar routine a little spark.

And when someone asks, “What’s for dinner?” for what feels like the nine millionth time, you might actually have an answer you’re excited about.

“We have a new contender.”

Get your people. Bring your appetite. The research continues.

Smokin’ Tuna Tuna Nachos in Key West, Florida

What is your food side quest?