5th Anniversary Flashback RED Quick Bite #73: A Chat with Marcos Valdes, Chef-Owner of Papi's Mexican Restaurant and Bar

It's our 5th Anniversary this month. As part of the celebration, we will post flashback episodes all month long to celebrate and say thank you. If it were not for you, our Runcation Nation community, we would not have had this show for the last five years, had some of the most amazing experiences, and created lasting friendships in this community.

Next up, a chat with someone who gave us some of the most authentic Mexican cuisine we have ever had and in the most unexpected place, Kentucky!  Marcos Valdes!

Welcome to Quick Bite #73!

In this Quick Bite, Aimee gets a few minutes with Marcos Valdes, Chef-Owner of Papi's Mexican Restaurant and Bar.

While we ran the Bluegrass, Marcos was busy running around the restaurant, making drinks, checking on food quality, mentoring employees, and spending time with guests!  The restaurant, located in an upstairs spot just a few blocks off the UK campus, has only been open for about eight months but the food, much of which comes from family recipes, tastes like it's been perfected over many, many years.

We started with the house chips and salsa.  The chips were warm, and the house salsa was fresh, with a slight heat and smokiness of chile d'arbol.  We had an appetizer created by Marcos', a crock filled with poblano pepper and onion, with a rich cream sauce and baked with queso fresco.  It's served with flour tortillas for dipping or making "messy tacos," and it is worth a trip back to Kentucky just for that!  Marcos said the Street Tacos were his most popular item, and after having them, we can see why! Soft, doubled-up corn tortillas topped with beef, chicken, pork, or...hibiscus?   Yep, Papi's has some fantastic vegetarian and vegan options as well.  

If Papi's is this good just eight months in, we can't wait to see what the future holds.  

Check them out online at www.papislex.com.  You can also find them on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papislex/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/papislex/

THAT'S A WRAP

Thank you for listening! Here’s hoping for a great second year of the podcast because of all your support! Don’t forget to follow us and let us know where to go next on our website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

THAT'S A WRAP!

If you choose to indulge, please drink responsibly by having a designated driver or taking a rideshare service. Stay safe, Runcation Nation!