The Pappy’s Texas Barbeque family has opened its new Tex-Mex taco bar in Kendal, Cumbria.
Pappy’s Taco Bar is putting Southern hospitality and barbeque rusticity alongside Mexican flavours and fiesta to create a menu packed full of vitamin T: Texas, tacos and tequila! Combining the best of both cuisines and using authentic ingredients, Pappy’s Taco Bar will redefine the typical perception of Tex-Mex cooking.
The sharing-style dishes see hand smoked, authentic Texas barbequed meat from the Pappy’s Smokehouse and the punchy yet aromatic flavours of Mexico encased in traditional soft corn tortillas and served with an array of sipping tequilas, Mexican beers, margaritas, cocktails and imported Mexican sodas.
The brand new restaurant has been opened by third-generation Texan pitmaster, Robin Perris who currently runs Pappy’s Smokehouse Bar & Grill (an outdoor Texas courtyard during the summer months), Pappy’s Texan Takeout and Pappy’s at Home meal kits.
Heralding from Texan BBQ-belt town Taylor, about four hours away from the border of Mexico, Robin is no stranger to Tex-Mex having grown up enjoying the cuisines both separately and as a fusion.
Using a custom Texas smoker built in the likeness of her father ‘Pappy’s’ commercial pit, in a nineteenth-century smokehouse a stone's throw from the Taco Bar, Robin lovingly and slowly oak-smokes locally sourced, Cumbrian meats and Black Angus brisket by hand to use as fillings for the tacos.
Each taco dish has been carefully curated to bring out the best in the smoked meat and the complimentary traditional Mexican salsas. The flavourful and authentically Texan Pappy’s meats will bring boldness to the traditional Mexican dish, with depth in flavour from the smoking process, gnarliness from the crust-like ‘bark’, and juiciness from the carefully marbled fat.
Using traditional soft corn tortillas to serve, the Mexicana taco fillings will add freshness, lift and a touch of fiesta when paired with the rich meat. Aromatic coriander, creamy avocado, zesty lime, fresh slaws & salsas, and smoky chipotle will all be used to do this.
Signature Pappy’s taco dishes on the menu are the Carnitas Tacos which feature slow-cooked smoked pork in spices and juices, topped with pico de gallo and lime wedges, served on a soft corn tortilla, as well as Oak Smoked Brisket Tacos made up of smoked brisket, a delicate and zesty red cabbage slaw, and salsa verde on a corn tortilla.
A traditional Mexican Birria Taco will also appear on the menu with slow-cooked Black Angus brisket in a stew served with beef consomme for dipping. Alongside the tacos, the menu will serve Totapas, a seven-layer Tex-Mex dip, fresh seasonal salsas and desserts such as churros and a Mexican affogato.
The drinks menu celebrates Mexican spirits with an array of rare and high-quality sipping tequilas and mezcals such as Vivir Tequila Anjo, Patron Reposado and Mezcal La Ledida- Tobala.
For real agave spirit enthusiasts, a tequila and mezcal flight is available, whilst cocktail lovers can enjoy fresh margaritas and other tequila-based cocktails. Mexican beers and imported Mexican sodas are also available.
Founder Robin said, “Pappy’s Taco Bar is open! Born into a family of fierce barbeque enthusiasts, I grew up surrounded by smoke pits, BBQ competitions and rodeo shows in my hometown of Taylor.
'Being close to the Mexican border, the fusion of the two delicious cuisines has always been a part of my life. I come from the BBQ Hurta clan where every occasion is celebrated with a proper Texan cookout. Add a touch of Mexican fiesta vibes to that and you’ve got the essence of what Pappy’s Taco Bar is all about!
'I think Tex-Mex food can often be perceived as low-quality fast food. We want to try and redefine that perception by using high-quality, authentic ingredients and bringing the best elements of both cuisines together. The result will be delicious and uplifting, challenging our diners’ thinking (for the better!) about the fusion of Texan and Mexican cooking.'
Robin went on, 'After living in Cumbria for sixteen years, in 2013, I thought it was time to set up Pappy’s Texas Barbeque, inspired by my father’s own Texas barbeque business back home, with the hope of bringing some Texas charm and sunshine to the often grey and drizzly Lake District.
'From our small beginnings with a trailer turned smoker back in 2013, today we have our summer Pappy’s Texas Bar & Grill outdoor courtyard, Pappy’s Takeout and Pappy’s at Home.
'Opening Pappy’s Taco Bar is the natural next step for us and a very exciting chapter for the Pappy’s family. It has always been my dream to have my own permanent restaurant serving my beloved Texas barbeque so now that our doors are open, I can’t wait to welcome diners! Y’all are in for a real treat!”