Audio By Carbonatix
In Bodega Taqueria y Tequila’s first days, the marquee that towered over the converted Airstream trailer posed a few questions.
“Why is a Mexican midget called a paragraph?”
“Because he was too short to be an esé,” according to Jared Galbut, managing principal of Menin Hospitality, who said that a few people had made comments but that the restaurant was trying to stay lighthearted without offending anyone.
However, the word esé, used primarily by Mexicans and is similar to “homeboy,” becomes a pejorative when used by the general public.
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Shortly after New Times asked Galbut last week whether he believed the jokes were offensive or whether anyone at Menin (which also runs South Beach’s Radio Bar and the Gale Hotel) is Mexican, the month-old taqueria dropped the edgy jokes in favor of specials.
“Many members of the team are Mexican,” he wrote in a text message.
Offensive? Bigoted? You decide.
Bodege Taqueria y Tequila, 1220 16th St., Miami Beach; 305-763-862; bodegasouthbeach.com. Sunday through Wednesday noon to 2 a.m., Thursday through Saturday noon to 5 a.m.
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