Some like it Hot and Fast: Hot Shots Billiards teams up with Burrito Mexpress

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — “Fast Eddie” was a real person … a real pool hustler.

Portrayed thinly veiled by Paul Newman in The Hustler and its belated sequel The Color of Money as “Fast Eddie” Felson, “Fast Eddie” Parker was a billiards hall legend during the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

Why was he called “Fast”? Maybe it was because of his elusive speed on the football field and basketball court to offset his small stature in high school.

Or maybe it’s just that “Fast” and “Billiards” go together like … um … beans and rice.

Hot Shots Billiards owner Joe Hull and Burrito Mexpress owner Joe Alvarez hope those remain winning combinations for years to come.

Hot Shots has been a poolplayers’ sanctuary in Charles City for what is now eight years. Five years removed from its cozy corner-pocket location amid the Kelly Street Mall, Hot Shots now has a lot more “green space” while perched along the bank of Cedar River at 700 Riverside Dr.

In addition to offering an expanded bar with a variety of tap-beer selections, Hot Shots also incorporated a kitchen at its newer digs.

But recently, Hull decided to expedite the pattern play of the in-bar food service to possibly better accommodate the quicksilver “Eddies” who frequent his business.

He found an ideal doubles partner in Alvarez.

“We got to talking, and we thought it would be a good idea for him to open up another location here,” Hull said.

“Our motto is ‘Fresh Food Fast’,” said Alvarez of his quick service, fresh food franchise specializing in Tex-Mex cuisine.

Alvarez, who comes from a family of restaurant owners, opened his first Burrito Mexpress restaurant in Humboldt in 2018. He also operates two Burrito Mexpress food trucks.

How he got together with Hull was through a common pastime … pool.

“We met each other through playing in leagues and tournaments,” Alvarez said. “But I’m not quite as good as (Hull).”

As noted on Burrito Mexpress’s website … Everything is cooked in house….homemade rice, slow boiled beans, cutting and marinating all the meats, chopping fresh vegetables and creating a culinary palette for you to create your own burritos, quesadillas, nachos, tacos, enchiladas … all Tex-Mex.

The set-up is similar to Subway restaurants where customers “customize” their meals while they’re being prepared in front of them. And whenever the weather gets better, customers will also be able to order outdoors from Hot Shots’ balcony.

It took a major renovation of Hot Shots’ kitchen area to cue all this up. But the “hustle” paid off as Burrito Mexpress opened just in time for Hot Shots’ annual Thanksgiving Holiday Pool Tournaments.

It’s now open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at Hot Shots.

Among those assisting Alvarez at his Hot Shots location is Burrito Mexpress general manager Chris Larsen.

For Burrito Mexpress menu and pricing, visit its website at www.bmex515.com and/or its Facebook page.