As I was sitting in the deli café the other day, waiting for my order to arrive, I casually glanced at my surroundings, breathing in the details. To my right a couple sat quietly munching on their Buffalo turkey wraps carrying on a conversation in whisper. The waitress, a patient young woman who looked to be in her mid-20s silently wiped the front counter clean, and then she smiled faintly and retreated to the kitchen.
Towards the front of the store my eyes carefully scanned each customer as they entered the deli. It’s in this moment that I reflect about the appearances of human beings. It’s true that as humans we all come in different shapes and sizes, much like anything – like fruit for instance. Today I saw all sorts of apples, oranges, bananas and tomatoes – those people who pass as both a fruit and a vegetable.
For a moment I looked away for certain that my food was on its way and naturally this being a casual service deli it wasn’t. When I looked towards the front of the store again I noticed that unbeknownst to me Fidel Castro had entered the building and was paying for his Dr. Pepper. In that moment I thought, “Would Fidel actually drink Dr. Pepper or would he prefer Coca-Cola or a Pepsi?” (Mike thinks he’d drink Ironbeer). Despite my ponderings, there he was, Fidel Castro, at the Big Mini Mart in Rochester, New York.

Fidel would drink Ironbeer, Cuba’s finest nonalcoholic beverage.
The can reads, “On a summers afternoon, in 1917 a mule-drawn, wooden wagon arrived at a popular cafeteria in Havana, Cuba. It delivered the first four cases of a new soft drink that would soon be called ‘The National Beverage’. Now more than 80 years later, Ironbeer is still enjoyed for its refreshing flavor with just a hint of island spices. A lot can change over the years - but not the original flavor of Ironbeer!”
Was he limping?
Was he on crutches?
I actually just happen to have a 2 liter of Ironbeer sitting on my desk, go figure.
Yes, I drink the stuff. This bottle just happens to remain unopened. I have been drinking it, once and a while, since my youth. The taste is unique, but not really off the wall weird. If you find some in the Latin grocery store, try it.
You’ve been drinking from that same bottle since your youth? ;) Of course, I’m joking, but I wouldn’t put it past anyone. Especially after seeing the Totally Obessed episode on the Mr. T merchandise collectors and showing them both eating from a 20 year old box of Mr. T cereal.
The next time I’m browsing through a Latin grocery store, which will incidentally be my first time, I’ll be sure to pick it up.
Great Flickr photo, by the way!
Charlie and Beto: No, but I think he might have been wearing a Stussy shirt.
Yeah! :-D I use an eyedropper. Fewer calories that way.
You honestly had me cracking up with that smart remark.
Deli? ….man, you’ve gone N.Y. son! Good funny article, I liked it. So maybe one of these days you can give me a call, or better yet sent me the pictures of ‘Z’ that you promised, her in the Holloween outfit?
We love you, call us when you finish you sandwhich….Banana Boy.
Did he have a big lump on his head? :P
Man, ol’ Castro will NEVER live that one down, will he? Someone told me that he was in New York trying to get on TRL…
great!!!!
latinameri...
See picture, top-right.
I am beside myself after seeing this display. I have worked for Ironbeer Soft Drink, Inc. for the past 10 years. I am a Cuban-American and can assure you that by the time Fidel reached his power in Cuba there was absolutely no Ironbeer left to drink in that country. Our company signifies what the American dream really is, only proven better done by a Cuban. It is a disgrace to see this communist’s face on our main item.
tery: I’ll remove the image after rethinking the fact that this might (and has) offended people. Sorry for the confusion, but regardless, I do appreciate your opinion on the matter and respect it wholeheartedly.
Kartooner:
Thank you so much for your consideration. It is the best best Christmas gift I could have received. A friend brought this to my attention & I am very pleased.
Teresa Trujillo
VP Operations
Ironbeer Soft Drink, Inc.