Mi Patria - closed...temporarily???

[Robin Garr]

IIt's now called La Jugada and I believe they're styling it as a sports bar.

My Spanish is really weak, but doesn't "La Jugada" actually mean something like "the sports"?

La Jugada is indeed "The Sport"

Apparently, La Jugada is the name of a popular Spanish-language sports station that shows a lot of soccer, similar to a Latin-American ESPN.

I only know this because the owner told me.

I stopped in today, in an attempt to source chiccharons for a project I'm working on.

I've seen this look before. The whole joint stopped and everyone looked at me like I was outta place- like I didn't belong there. The only person that engaged me was the fella playing guitar.

And who am I? Just one of the staunchest supporters of the previous owners. Just ready to pull the trigger of support for the new establishment. Just hoping this phoenix can rise from the ashes...

It reminded me of being in SCentral LA after the riots. I felt fortunate that I have the icy stare and hard visage of the nords. No easy mark, for sure.

I spoke with the cook and he dismissed me out of hand 'no chiccharons.' Fair enough and ...

I won't be back.

La Carnacerita, just down the road, had a half-pig in the process of being butchered. Fresh chorizo and other fresh-made sausages hang from wooden trowels on the wall. Fresh chicken feet and other goodies were on display. They seemed happy to see me, engaged me and I stood in a considerable line, playing with children that don't even speak my language.

All-in-all, a 1.50 purchase for chiccharon and two links of chorizo, but over time these people will make a mint off me...

(and the others won't)

I stopped in today, in an attempt to source chiccharons for a project I'm working on.

I've seen this look before. The whole joint stopped and everyone looked at me like I was outta place- like I didn't belong there. The only person that engaged me was the fella playing guitar.

And who am I? Just one of the staunchest supporters of the previous owners. Just ready to pull the trigger of support for the new establishment. Just hoping this phoenix can rise from the ashes...

It reminded me of being in SCentral LA after the riots. I felt fortunate that I have the icy stare and hard visage of the nords. No easy mark, for sure.

I spoke with the cook and he dismissed me out of hand 'no chiccharons.' Fair enough and ...

I won't be back.

La Carnacerita, just down the road, had a half-pig in the process of being butchered. Fresh chorizo and other fresh-made sausages hang from wooden trowels on the wall. Fresh chicken feet and other goodies were on display. They seemed happy to see me, engaged me and I stood in a considerable line, playing with children that don't even speak my language.

All-in-all, a 1.50 purchase for chiccharon and two links of chorizo, but over time these people will make a mint off me...

(and the others won't)

You are certainly entitled to your opinions and the right to voice them.

That said, I find it...interesting that someone who has so frequently championed and defended local restaurants, to the extent of attacking the reviews of others with dissenting opinions, decided to submit such a negative write-up on a brand new establishment, based solely on the appearance of the clientele and the English proficiency of the cook.,,,at a taqueria/sport's bar, mind you...without even trying the food...

Again, you have every right to voice your opinions, but I found this to be a very unusual post, if only based on your previous writings. Also, I am far from the PC police, but I got carry-out from a crowded restaurant, and I found your comparison to the patrons of a taqueria to participants in the LA Riots...curious

I don't know, Dan...

Smiles are universal, lack of eye contact and dissmissive waves of the hand too. Getting stared down like I just stepped on someone's turf- also universal. Even the one female in the room was looking at me like I just stepped into a saloon in the Wild West.

I've rarely posted about bad experiences- just when they are this egregious. One was the 'best philly in town' place on Brownsboro (closed) or Boudreax's (closed.)

I'm in the business, so I'll play through a great deal. But not this.

I don't know, Dan...

Smiles are universal, lack ofeye contact and dissmissive waves of the hand too. Getting stared down like I just stepped on someone's turf- also universal. Even the one female in the room was looking at me like I just stepped into a saloon in the Wild West.

I've rarely posted about bad experiences- just when they are this egregious. One was the 'best philly in town' place on Brownsboro (closed) or Boudreax's (closed.)

I'm in the business, so I'll play through a great deal. But not this.

Oh come on now! If I don't get the, "what is this white boy doing" look I'm in the wrong place. I got it and I'd bet you did too the first time you walked in My Patria. We just need to grab our group of taco brethren and give it a go. I respect your opinion, but I'm not writing them off.

@ Stevie D We need to grab a beer soon. Shoot me a message.

the English proficiency of the cook.,,,

There is no comment about the cook's English proficiency in Stephen's post.

the English proficiency of the cook.,,,

There is no comment about the cook's English proficiency in Stephen's post.

Good on you, Antonia. I'm glad you pointed that out.

Oh come on now! If I don't get the, "what is this white boy doing" look I'm in the wrong place. I got it and I'd bet you did too the first time you walked in My Patria. We just need to grab our group of taco brethren and give it a go. I respect your opinion, but I'm not writing them off.

@ Stevie D We need to grab a beer soon. Shoot me a message.

I got that look the first time I went in Mi Patria. Like being at a concert and you yell really loud just as the music stops.

I'm down for more Sunday tacos here or the place down the street.

I don't know, Dan...

Smiles are universal, lack of eye contact and dissmissive waves of the hand too. Getting stared down like I just stepped on someone's turf- also universal. Even the one female in the room was looking at me like I just stepped into a saloon in the Wild West.

I've rarely posted about bad experiences- just when they are this egregious. One was the 'best philly in town' place on Brownsboro (closed) or Boudreax's (closed.)

I'm in the business, so I'll play through a great deal. But not this.

Fair enough. What criteria people use in deciding where to dine or not to dine is completely subjective. Perhaps our expectations of customer service in taquerias is different, but I do understand your position.

I will say that my experience at La Jugada seemed to be very different than that of your own, but if you truly felt unsafe and disrespected, then I certainly respect your decision not to go back.

I, however, will definitely be back, and found everyone to be quite friendly and helpful.

the English proficiency of the cook.,,,

There is no comment about the cook's English proficiency in Stephen's post.

Good on you, Antonia. I'm glad you pointed that out.

It seems silly to respond to posts like these, but here we go:

One of Stephen's complaints was the cook's abrupt response "no chicharones".

I know the cook who currently works at La Jugada. He was also a cook at Mi Patria. He barely speaks any Englsih. That said, he has always been very friendly towards me, and despite many misunderstandings, we have worked together to process taco orders many times in the past, and I always thought him friendly and accommodating, despite the language differences.

So, Stephen was going to the sports bar/taqueria to acquire information about a chicharon project and was dissatisfied with his explanation, but in all fairness, to me, a native spanish-speaker communicating "no chicharons" to indicate the fact that the establishment did not in fact sell chicharons, doesn't seem that terrible of a reply.

I hate to get into semantics, and perhaps I misinterpreted something, but I thought what I was saying was pretty clear.

Don't be upset to receive a short, concise response when communicating with a cook who doesn't speak your language

I tell ya what, Dan, I've been thinking about what you and the boys have said...

I think maybe we give them another shot. They could have had a bad day or something.

Besides, I really like tacos, beer and playing pool!

I tell ya what, Dan, I've been thinking about what you and the boys have said...

I think maybe we give them another shot. They could have had a bad day or something.

Besides, I really like tacos, beer and playing pool!

I think that's cool of you, Stephen, At the same time, I hear you, nobody should have to put up with unfriendly service. I just have to think think it was an aberration based on my past experiences. I hope you're next trip goes smoother, and if not, let me know and I'll reimburse you on your taco expenditures.

I just finished my second visit this week and boy I'm glad I took your advice, Dan!

The food is Mi Patria, down to the salsas I raved so much about.

Hospitality was spot-on, both times.

I'm very happy that these folks seem to be carrying on the tradition of a sentimental favorite...

I've gone two times now since the switchover, and the food is just as good, other than the lengua is different for some reason.

As far as the previous posts regarding the looks one gets on first going in: sure, that's true. And who cares? The first time I went into Mi Patria before the switch, I got stared at as if I were a mutant. Which I only partially resemble. And then the people were incredibly nice. Every subsequent time I went they were incredibly nice, as well.

The new layout definitely lends a bit more to the "You're out of place here!" atmosphere, but, again, it's gotten over relatively quickly, and the food is still great. As opposed to some of the "finer" establishments I've been to in Louisville where I got the "out of place" look and their food was overpriced garbage. I'll take the former situation over the latter any day of the week.