Welcome to authentic!

 

Pin Pon Papas opened their doors in September with the promise of bringing authentic Mexican food to the Becker area.

 

If the patrons over the last few months had a phrase they’d pay to the new business it might be said this way: Barriga llena, corazón contento (which means, full stomach, happy heart).

 

Carlos Mendez, 27, along with his parents, Rosalinda and Carlos Sr. are the owners of Pin Pon Papas at 14068 Bank St., the old Bulldogs Pizza location. Since they opened their doors four-plus months ago, they’ve received nothing but high praise from their customers.

 

“People around here, we think, are looking for something different, something more than just a pizza place,” said Carlos Jr. “They want food that is unique, flavorful and freshly-made. That’s what we provide.”

 

Pin Pon Papas — a name derived from an old Mexican game of speed similar to “rock, paper, scissors” — prides itself on speedy orders and top-notch service.

 

 “We are more like a Mexican cafe,” said Carlos Jr. “Our food is all made from scratch and we do our best to keep the prices low.”

 

The business is a three-person operation with Rosalinda and Carlos Jr. doing most — if not all — the cooking while Carlos Sr. seats people, takes orders, cleans up and finishes transactions.

 

The Mendezes — who live in Monticello — come from the central part of Mexico and when they immigrated to the United States, they first started out by selling tacos at truck stops in Texas. Years later, they made the move up north to Minnesota to “escape the snakes, spiders and creatures that attack and bite,” Carlos Jr. said.

 

“We like it up here,” he said. “I’d more want to suffer through six months of cold winters than to be down there with the poisonous bugs and snakes.”

 

The key to Pin Pon Papas’ success will hinge on the food, of course, and that is why the Mendezes carefully prepare their culinary masterpieces and use only trustworthy recipes passed down from Carlos Jr.’s grandmother.

 

“The enchiladas is by far our best seller,” he said. “We make it different from others and people around here just love it. “We plan to release a new menu pretty soon, but the enchiladas will definitely stay.”

 

Another tasty treat they create that is getting a reputation from the locals is their fried banana split dessert.

 

“It’s a big hit,” said Carlos Jr.

 

The ice cream gets deep fried as well as the bananas and then the dish is topped off with some whipped cream, a little chocolate drizzle and a cherry on top.

 

Delicious!

 

Pin Pon Papas also serves breakfast and will provide delivery for local customers and can even do catering for businesses or events. They are currently working with the city to obtain a liquor license so they can sell alcohol at their establishment and they even plan to put in an outdoor patio, possibly this summer.

 

Pin Pon Papas has numerous specials going on during the times they are open and they especially encourage the locals to come out during Cinco de Mayo where they will have a buffet-style meal with all the fixings for a set price.

 

Pin Pon Papas is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

 

¿Dónde está la taqueria? (Where is the taco shop?).

 

It’s in Becker.