Chiriquí Chatter

This is a different take on eating out. In the US, I usually felt like a number when I ate out. All restaurants were very busy and you would likely enter and have your name put on a list or given an an electronic pager to be notified when it was your turn to be seated. There were so many restaurants that it was unlikely that you would ever be recognized, even if you were a frequent client.

The only time I ever remember seeing clients called by name was if you were a member of a country club. In a country club environment, people are paid to remember you. They didn’t do it just because they liked you. It has been a lot different for me in Panama. I enjoy my favorite restaurants as much for my friendships with the owners as I do for their great food.

Last Saturday, at lunch time, I thought I would drop into Renegados and have a plate of spaghetti. However, when I entered, I saw David, with his smiling face, and he immediately said, “I have something special for you today.” I said “OK”, not knowing what I might have just agreed to. There are many things that are eaten here in Panama, that are not on my list of “likes”, however I trusted David’s judgment.

It seems that David had made a purchase of some lamb chops and he fixed them for me. I don’t think the lamb chops are on the menu. It was a great tasteful experience. The chops, along with a little salad, fixed me up.

Now the best part of my time in Renegados came after the meal. When all the food had disappeared and I had finished my slice of flan, David and Berta returned and we visited for probably close to an hour. This was just friends spending time together. This would never have happened in the US.

Then on Sunday, when Plan A had failed, I decided to go to Antojitos Mexicanos Taqueria. It had been over a year since I had seen Maritriny. She came out, called me by name and gave me a kiss on the cheek and said it had been a long time.

I ordered a combination plate containing quesadillas. a burrito, a couple tacos and a bean and cheese taco. Maritriny is from Guadalajara and has the only Mexican food, in Chiriqui, that I think is worth eating.

I enjoyed it a lot. While I was there I saw this goat grazing in the adjacent area. Bar-b-qued goat thoughts entered my mind several times. If I ever see it on the menu, I will probably have it.

I told Maritriny I needed her photo, since my last visit had been over a year ago. She graciously granted another photo.

Following the photo, Maritriny came back to the table and we talked for over an hour. She reminded me, that when I first met her in 2004, I didn’t speak any Spanish. My how time flies, when you are having fun. Again, this was more than going out to have something to eat, it was also getting to visit with a good friend.

Panama is a special place and it is more special when you make an effort to get to know the people that live and work here. Everyone has a story. All stories are unique. Each one has added to the colage of experiences that I have had since moving to Chiriquí.

Tags: Restaurants