Pappy’s Taco Bar is a Tex-Mex taco bar located in Kendal, Cumbria, serving authentic tacos filled with Texas barbecued meat, Mexican accompaniments and a host of quality tequilas. Combining the best of both cuisines, it aims to redefine the typical perception of Tex-Mex cooking into something new and creative.
The restaurant was launched by third-generation Texan pitmaster and founder of Pappy’s Texas Barbecue Robin Perris. Robin was born in the Texan town of Taylor, a few hours away from the border of Mexico, and grew up surrounded by the flavours and dishes of these two cuisines. At Pappy’s Taco Bar, he brings together the food of his childhood with the aim of showing the British public just how fantastic they can be.
The restaurant uses a custom-built smoker to slowly oak-smoke its locally-sourced meat and to achieve its fantastic flavour. This is then stuffed inside soft corn tortillas along with a host of Mexican accompaniments: think aromatic coriander, creamy avocado, zesty lime, fresh slaws and salsas, and smoky chipotle.
Signature dishes include Carnitas Tacos which feature slow-cooked smoked pork in spices and juices, topped with pico de gallo and lime wedges, 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. Other traditional options include a Mexican Birria Taco featuring slow-cooked Black Angus brisket in a stew served with beef consomme for dipping. Alongside the tacos, the menu serves 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. 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.