Dining with Kara: Papa Ps- It's Not Weird. It's Muy Bueno!

Dining with Kara: Papa Ps- It's Not Weird. It's Muy Bueno!

Papa Ps- It's Not Weird. It's Muy Bueno!

It’s hard to believe that four little words, “With an Irish Side” can deter people from trying a great Mexican, that’s right, I said MEXICAN, restaurant in Towne Lake.

But I have heard the following statements... a lot,
 “I just don’t get it… Irish and Mexican?”
“That just sounds like a weird combination.” 

I’m about to blow the lid off this “weird” fusion

Let’s just get a few things out of the way.

Papa Ps is owned by local residents, Caron (the Irish part) and Alberto (the Mexican part).  They are experienced restaurateurs, both having worked in the Buckhead Life Group.   Papa Ps menu is 85% Mexican.  There are plenty of traditional Mexican items that you will recognize: fajitas, tacos, chimichangas, quesadillas… you get the point.  In addition to the familiar are some Mexican food items that I’ve never seen in the other local Mexican restaurants

Chicken Mole — No one else around here serves this complex and completely addicting sauce.  Maybe because it’s labor intensive, and when it’s served with chicken, it’s heaven.  This is definitely one of my dinner go-to’s!

Chilaquile

Chilaquile — During a trip to Nashville, I ate a Mexican restaurant and had an enchilada covered in salsa verde and topped with a fried egg.  It was amazing.  I saw the Chilaquile on the Papa Ps menu and it was so similar that I had to try it, and it’s now my new lunch favorite.  It’s a corn tortilla smothered with salsa verde and topped with a fried egg, queso fresco and sour cream and sliced avocado.  O…M….G.  The egg, when broken, mixes into the cheese and salsa, and it’s a rich, savory, spicy concoction of melty goodness.  Mix some of the home made refried beans into it and it’s a Mouth Party.

Fish and Chips

And now, for the “weird” Irish components.

There are three parts to the Irish of this restaurant:  Caron,  subtle Irish infusion and Irish entrees.  Let’s start with the infusion as it seems to be the most confusing:

Salad dressing: the house dressing, which is a balsamic vinegar base, has Guinness beer in it. 
Tacos: One of the taco selections is corned beef.  This is an amazing flavor profile!  Served in either corn tortillas or crispy flour, the corned beef is super tender and topped with an avocado ranch.  My college son will come to Towne Lake specifically for this taco.
Boxty Quesadilla: An Irish potato cake filled with cheddar cheese and additional items such as mushrooms, spinach, chicken, beef or shrimp

And that’s about as weird as it gets.

Traditional Irish dishes include Shepherd’s Pie, Beef Stew, a traditional Irish Breakfast and one of my favorite’s Fish and Chips. 

Bread Pudding

Apparently, the Irish are a lot like the Americans in that they LOVE dessert so Caron has added some delicious and decadent choices.  If you want something on the light side, try to traditionally Irish Pavlova, egg white meringue chunks mixed with strawberries and fresh whipped cream.  Or if you’re feeling a little naughty, try the Bread Pudding, which is served with an Irish Whiskey Sauce and a scoop of ice cream.

I am truly one of Papa Ps biggest fans.  I dine there at least once a week, usually for lunch.  I keep coming back for three reasons:  the food is consistently good and freshly made; the service is impeccable.  Caron is always making her rounds to the customer’s tables and getting to know her patrons, and the staff has been trained by people who really know the restaurant business and what it means to provide “customer” service.  And the third reason is, it’s reasonable!

I did this blog because I’m a Fan!  I hope this encourages you to step outside your comfort zone and dabble in the “Weird.”  I think you’ll be glad you did!