Monday, June 26, 2023

Jocotepec a small town on the West end of the lake. (Ho-Ko-ta-pec)

"They have the best cooked goat in Jocotepec."
I just wish I could remember who told me that?  I got on a bus and rode to the far west end of the lake to try 'the best goat ever.' 
[*I NEED to ask people better questions!  Like, "is it worth the time and trouble to taste the goat?" Or, "is goat the best thing in Jocotepec?"]  I can honestly report that I was underwhelmed with the Birrier. (goat cooked in tomato sauce) I walked around the town asking directions of the lovely locals trying to find "the best goat."  Naively I assumed that if Jocotepec has 'the best goat' then there has to be a 'best goat maker' in Jocotepec.  I wanted the best of the best.  So I wander all around town looking for a sign with a goat on it, or some identifier that they serve goat.  I finally resort to my Plan A.  When in doubt, ask a fat person!  Not a good idea, they tend to be less picky.  Next, plan B, find a cute old married couple on the square and ask her, where would you want him to take you for a special meal?  When I got two matching answers I walked back to that restaurant.  Turned out of course that it was a spot i had walked past two blocks and one hour ago from the bus station.  I finally sit down there in a very nice upscale restaurant.  I get a menu and try to find GOAT.  It aint there.  I summon the hostess over and 'try' to communicate with her that I'm wanting to try the famous goat...
The hostess using her phone translate app to speak with me.
Can YOU see any frustration on her pretty face? (for a second I thought I did)

Well, the hostess cant speak with me. (and vice versa) So she goes and gets another lady who muddles along playing our little brand of charades.  Hand gestures and phone talking, but no goat.  They finally try another waiter with the same lack of success, then in a final attempt, they go back in the kitchen and get the Chef.  Imagine a nice upscale restaurant at lunch hour and the Chef comes out, all food stops, while he patiently explains to me about how the oldest place in town is just a few blocks west.  (i had already walked past it twice)  He says they have the best goat in town and that's where he always gets his goat.  So I thank them all and leave.
The handwritten note from the Chef.
MY bowl of goat.  THIS is what all the hubbub was about?  
It's just goat.  Goat in a bowl.
Me, with my goat and their SIGN which does not show a goat, the only thing they serve!
After my bowl of goat I had some ice cream to cleanse my palate.  
_________

It was a nice day for a goat search and I got lots of other photos.













*The Birrieria and she is cutting up GOAT.  She puts it in those bowls.
The ice cream place.  He also puts it in bowls.













 When in Rome, do as the Romans do.  
But, dont order the goat.