Now that our nation seems to be sinking deeper into a stupid nationwide recession, I feel it’s my obligation and duty to give you ideas on how you can still go out and have a great time while not digging deep into your purse or wallet.

Sure, there are a gazillion happy hours that you can frequent across the city, but what I’d like to rap with you about today is something that is so very close to this big heart of mine.

Tacos.

Every since I was a tiny little Natasha, I was always so excited anytime my mother would promise a taco night for dinner.

To me, there’s really nothing like the scintillating sensation that occurs when you sink your teeth into that crispy hard shell (yes, I like it hard), perfectly seasoned chicken or ground beef, the cheese that makes the world go around, lettuce, no tomatoes (gross!), the ideal little dabble of sour cream, and a dash of hot sauce.

Basically, tacos continuously amaze me, and they’re the one food item that I’ve been quite unable to overdose on.

What’s even better, they’re cheap!

Any one of the taco wagons around town are always sure to please your affordable taco needs. The buddies at The Red Hot swear by Taqueria Tres Hermanos on South 12th Street.

Personally, I adore the tacos at Taqueria El Antojo on McKinley Avenue.

Several of us here at the Weekly Volcano also contend that the very best tacos in town are at Tacos Guaymas either on 38th Street or South Tacoma Way.

But outside of these traditional taco services, you can also find taco nights that occur at bars throughout our area.

Again, these nights offer an extremely affordable way to enjoy the tasty tacos, with the possibility of accompanying such pleasures with some sort of Mexican beer, a margarita, or even better, a shot or shots of tequila.

Here’s just a sampling of local bars or restaurants that offer the aforementioned bliss:

On any given Tuesday you’ll find cheap taco nights occurring at The Corner Bar, Magoo’s, Hell’s Kitchen (hurkin’ tacos for Tightwad Tuesday), the West End and Linda’s Green Pup. On Thursday the Top of Tacoma dishes up delicious tacos on either hard or soft shells.

If you’re the kind of person that needs affordable tacos eight days a week, try the happy hour at Matador from 4 to 6 p.m. or 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for your choice in tacos: chicken or steak, Baja shrimp or blackened fish. A wide array of tacos are also available during the happy hour at Masa all day Sunday and Monday, and from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Don’t let this economy get you down, South Sound, because I can assure you of this:

Tacos will make it all better.

Tell me where you like to party at sceneofthecrime@hotmail.com.