Veracruz Mexico

unless your Spanish is pretty good you might not be able to tell what else by reading the menu. There’s bacon and pineapple and mushroom and onion and even a little corn. It’s a “concept restaurant,” and it’s new to town. It’s called Papa’s House (that’s la papa, Spanish for potato).

Carlos Bejar and Becky Cetina are the owners. They’re husband and wife—down here the wife doesn’t take the husband’s name.

Starting with smashed but not mashed potatoes, they add in whatever mixture of ingredients you’ve ordered, and make a potato ball, a long oval ball. It’s covered all over with yellow cheese and cream. Served piping hot, it makes a terrific meal all in itself.

The concept came from Carlos’ grandmother. He has no idea how she came up with it. Her long ago special dish, now Papa’s House’s special dish, is getting more popular by the day.

A group of students from our language school walked there a couple of nights ago. They give the concept 5 stars. They sat at the sidewalk tables and had a great time. Even though the concept rates 5 stars, the restaurant isn’t expensive.

Veracruz, always old Mexico, always something new, always exciting. Papa’s House is a treat for the palette, and Veracruz is a treat for the traveler.