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Born out of atomic research during World War II, the town of Los Alamos has a high school that’s been competitive across the board.
See the sports in which LA has reached the pinnacle in the Roll Call of State Championships
Girls Soccer
2003…’Toppers and Coach Jiri Kubicek return to the top as 4A battle with Academy goes to Los Alamos 1-0
1998…Los Alamos shuts out St. Pius 2-0 to grab Class 1A-3A bragging rights in girls soccer
1983…For second time in three years, Hilltoppers prove to be the best in New Mexico by knocking off Eldorado 3-0 in championship
1981…State holds its first girls soccer state tournament and it’s Los Alamos that’s listed as the 1st Champ with a 4-1 victory over Santa Fe
Boys Basketball
2000…Led by seven-footer Chris Jackson, Los Alamos reigns over Class 3A following 69-45 victory against Artesia
1964…Hilltoppers grab glory on the hardwood after knocking off St. Michael’s 76-55 in championship contest
Baseball
1978…Los Alamos returns to prominence on the diamond for first time in over a decade and beats Sandia 4-3 in 4A championship
1966…Back-to-back crowns for Hilltoppers following an 8-3 win over Portales in Class B state title game
1965…First taste of diamond glory for Los Alamos, a 2-0 victory over Gadsden in championship
Tennis
2000-2003…Here’s to you Elisa Bonner! Only state singles victory for Los Alamos in tennis comes when Bonner takes the 4A girls individual tourney four years in a row
Football
1966…Los Alamos’ lone championship on the gridiron came under Coach Dale Parini when the ‘Toppers shut out Gadsden 21-0 for Class A title
Volleyball
1996…Two straight titles for Los Alamos in Class 3A as coach Sally Shockey’s crew beats Silver in four games
1995…Down to the wire the Hilltoppers have to go with Silver in 3A finale, but it’s worth it to LA after winning in five
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And now, a word from our Sponsor…
“Ole!” greets drive-through customers from the speaker box.
If that’s the case, it can only be one business: Taco Box.
From frijole burritos to Spanish fries to pig-in-a-panchos, and quite nearly everything in-between, the restaurant has been serving up its eclectic menu for 40 years.
According to owner Tom Martin, the number one seller is the simple-and-tasty frijole burrito while tacos, chalupas and cheese sticks follow closely in popularity.
A popular side item are Spanish fries, a Taco Box-invented title for another potato-based munchie (any guesses?). Martin says his restaurant has only occasionally ventured into making regular french fries and the attempts have ultimately always been futile with the Taco Box customer base.
“I always joke that I don’t make french fries so I can help keep McDonald’s in business,” Martin says.
Other items also remain popular to an extent even though not officially on the menu board anymore – a testament to the loyalty of the typical Taco Box consumer.
The Mexi-Burger was on the menu back in the early 1980s and still gets ordered today. By those in the know, at any rate.
“There’s probably at least a dozen different items over the years like that,” Martin says. “We took it off, just because of space, but we still make ‘em. We probably sell as many as we did when they were on the menu.”
Martin lists breakfast tacos, frijole tacos, guacamole tacos as other such “underground” items. And that’s not to mention the vast array of drink combinations, utilizing the different soft drinks and flavorings, that have actually never been listed on the big board at Taco Box.
Martin, raised in Cleveland and a graduate from Cornell University in New York, ventured west after college and tried his hand with the Taco Box brand. He took over Taco Box on June 1, 1970.
Remembering his first foray into Mexican food, Martin has an oft-repeated story with some variation or another.
“I never had a taco until I was 21. I remember having a mild green chile taco and I thought I was going to die,” Martin recalls.
After having a tastebud-adjustment and following countless tacos served to his customers at Taco Box, it’s safe to say one thing about the guy who originally thought he’d be in the Land of Enchantment for “a couple of years.”
Well Tom, you’re a New Mexican now.
