The Gringo Kitchen
We stopped by The Gringo Kitchen to make an appointment with the owner. He had just put his ribs in the oven, and was about to make the filling for his beef and red wine pot pies. The kitchen was absolutely spotless. We returned the following day, and this is what we learned:
Phil Hall, a plumber from England, first vacationed in Mexico in 1998. Like so many of us, he fell in love with Banderas Bay. He also fell in love with his future wife during one of his many layovers in Mexico City, and they have since had two children.
When their romance began, Phil had just purchased a derelict house back in England, so they lived overseas until the renovations were finished, taking about eight months. They then sold the property and promptly moved from England to Lake Chapala, about an hour south-east of Guadalajara. Their British friends had already made the transatlantic journey, so the Halls thought, “let’s give it a go.” After six months they found Lake Chapala to be a very quiet town. Phil described wanting to find a local pub for some cheer, but there didn’t seem to be any nightlife after 8:00 pm. “It was far too quiet. It just wasn’t for me. I felt I was getting old before my time.”
They decided to move to Bucerias where they operated a successful restaurant-bar on the beach, “Sunset’s Beach Bar.” Phil and his family met many friends during this time, and he says he learned a lot about owning a business. After running the bar for several years, the responsibility became too intrusive to the family. “Somebody had to be there all the time. It was affecting my family. I wasn’t seeing my boys.”
Having the background in a home building environment, Phil moved his family to Vera Cruz, where he “hooked up with an expat home builder.” He worked for the builder for six years as the Building Manager. The “boss” eventually informed Phil he planned to retire, and Phil realized he would be out of work. Knowing he would have no form of income, he needed to figure out how to support his family. He says, “Vera Cruz is spectacular, beautiful. Not many expats. We were comfortable, but I knew I had to keep a roof over their heads.” In April, 2019, they returned to Bucerias. “We had lots of friends from having the bar. It wasn’t a big step, I just knew where to come. My heart’s always been in the bay.”
Phil used to serve his homemade pot pies at the beach bar. When thinking of how to provide for his family, his old Bucerias pals said, “You’ve got your pies. Sell your pies!” In December, 2019, The Gringo Kitchen opened it’s doors.
The original plan was to sell frozen products; vacuum sealed ribs, sausages and pot pies. “That’s where we started off. But people walked by and smelled the ribs cooking and wanted to buy them. All of a sudden it was a take-out restaurant. Word of mouth got around and we’ve been busy. We’ve got the best location, only two blocks from Telmex where people pay their bills. I didn’t think it would be as good as it is. I don’t want to run before I walk, but eventually I may need an employee.”
What is on Phil’s menu, you ask? Get your napkin ready before reading this mouth-watering list. Pot pies; chicken and mushroom, chicken and vegetables, beef and Guinness, minced beef and onions, port and apple, beef and red wine, and cottage pie, which is similar to shepherds pie. Ribs; baste them with his homemade sauces; smoky, chili, fruity. And, pork sausages, with skins imported from Scotland.
We asked what is his favourite thing about Bucerias. “The bay. Oh, that’s not just Bucerias. The beach is a big factor…OK, the weather…oh, I don’t know. We never had this weather and a beach in the UK.”
Phil’s days are busy. We could tell he enjoys what he’s doing, as he described his business with an excited twinkle in his eye. “By the time I get home, spend some time with my family…pretty soon I’m blowing zzzzs.”
Find The Gringo Kitchen at 20 de November #18, Colonia Loma Bonita, two blocks east of Telmex, Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, or on Facebook.
