I'll start by saying my experience ended by walking out after a single cerveza…read more
Explanation, my family and I travel A LOT. I am the patriarch and my wife and I have 2 boys, ages 7 and 2. As many parents no doubt understand, eating out isn't always worth the hassle.
But today is my birthday. And my wife has generously gifted me a lunch to myself. Meant to be a glorious hour filled with delicious food and drink. I was very excited. I chose Cerveceria Pepe as the location for this blessed event because it was right out the front door of our hotel and I wanted to maximize my limited "me" time.
We'll start with the atmosphere. The view is nice if you're into that "eating under an overpass" type of ambiance. There's literally an overpass 100 feet away.
I sat down around 12:15 and ordered a cerveza from a surly waiter who was flying around, setting tables and preparing for the day. There was another table seated on the terrace and several customers inside the restaurant. I asked for a menu and the aforementioned sour demeanour-ed waiter looked at me like he had no idea what I was talking about. I asked again and he grunted and nodded his head toward a sandwich-board plaquared standing on the edge of the street.
I should provide more context here. I speak a bit of Spanish, but I'm certainly not fluent. I find it to be enough to get by, if the person I'm speaking to is willing to work with me a bit. For example, I know that the Spanish word for "menu" is "menu". So there's little reason for the guy to be annoyed by my use of English, at least not yet.
I'm also more than willing to try to speak the native language and I spend weeks before I travel learning basic words and phrases on Duolingo. Again, not fluent, but I make an effort. And I lived most of my life in Florida, where Spanish is a second language.
Back to the review, sandwich board menu has a (1) with a list of Spanish words, followed by a (2) and Spanish words, then "pan, postres, y cafe". Through my brilliant powers of deduction I am able to discern that this is a 2 course menu, one selection from each category, including bread, dessert, and coffee. I'm even more excited for my birthday lunch!
I Google all of the Spanish words to get detailed descriptions of the dishes and make my selections for the coming feast. I wave over the waiter, a new face from the earlier poor mannered camarero. I first establish that my assumptions concerning the "pick one from each column" format are correct.
"Si, a la una."
OK, just 1 from each column. I understand.
"A la una."
Yes, it's just me. I only need one meal.
"A la una." Much more forceful this time.
Um. OK? So I can only select 1 item on the list?
"A la una." Very forceful. Almost aggressive. Borderline yelling at me. Then he turns on his heels and walks away.
I realize after he leaves the meaning of "A la una". At 1 o'clock. But this doesn't erase my negative experience to this point. And why would I pay to be treated in such a fashion. So I pony up for the beer and go next door to enjoy what I found to be a much more friendly atmosphere.
In my experience "a la" can mean "of" or even a type of something, a way of preparing a food, etc. Had the word "hora" been used, I would have figured it out. I have encountered many Spanish speakers in the US and I typically try my best to communicate with them. I certainly would not become obviously frustrated and walk away in a huff, especially if I was in the service industry.
Maybe you're reading this thinking, "Well, learn the language". Fair enough. And if that's what you're thinking, then this review is not for your benefit. But there are plenty of people out there exactly like me. And they'd prefer an experience where they don't walk away feeling belittled when they've made their best effort.
