These days, when Pete Turner is questioned about the true meaning of his restaurant’s name—Illegal Pete’s—he mostly thinks about his father.
The first location in Boulder, Colorado opened two decades ago. Turner’s dad, also named Pete, was by his side. He helped push his son through two years of service, until he passed away in 1997. In fact, one of the last mental images Turner has of his father is on the day he was cremated. His dad wore an Illegal Pete’s T-shirt. “He was so proud,” Turner says.
The name is like a family-inside-joke—at least to Turner and the people who know him best. To others, it was always a mystery. What does he mean by “illegal?” And Turner wouldn’t go out of his way to explain, because, at first, the name didn’t hold much depth. Partially-based on his dad’s days as an “outlaw,” and Turner’s own experience as a young man who didn’t always follow the norms. It was also influenced by a bar in a novel Turner read during his college days. As he’s said many times before, “I am Illegal Pete.”
But as he prepares to open the eighth location of his San Francisco Mission District/Southern California-style Mexican food joint on University Boulevard in Main Gate Square—the first in Arizona—he’s had to hear a lot of outrage expressed by many Old Pueblo voices over the word “illegal” in his restaurant’s name.
“In 19 years, I never had that issue,” he says, referring to last year, when he opened an Illegal Pete’s in Fort Collins, Colorado. Many of the city’s Latino and Hispanic residents were pissed. Headed by a group called We Are Not Illegal, they demanded Turner change the name. “We have never used (the word) in that way,” he adds.
Turner’s been called an ignorant racist who’s profiting from a hate-fueled word that is right at the heart of immigration debates—a term used to describe immigrants who live in the U.S. undocumented, and, really, insult many people of color, even if they were born on this side of the border.
To Roberto Rodriguez, author and an associate professor at the UA’s Mexican American Studies Department, in recent times, the word “illegal” has pretty much morphed into a racial slur. It’s an especially touchy term in a state like Arizona—the home of laws like SB 1070, which in the eyes of immigration rights advocates and allies led to racial profiling, as well as HB 2281, the statute that banned Mexican-American studies from the classrooms.
There is also a well-established history of racism in this country that resonates with Rodriguez. Historical events he thinks of, such as 1954 Operation Wetback that led to the deportation of thousands of Mexican workers.
“I think the most important element of all of this is memory, and I wish I could say it was limited to memory, this is the most hostile state in the country on the topic of immigration,” Rodriguez says. “(Turner) came under a false premise that this is all new to him. You don’t want to start a business when you already have instant enemies; people who are alienated. And which community is alienated? Illegal Pete’s serves what kind of food? Mexican food.”
Local protests have largely been fueled by the UA student activist group Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlán, also known as MEChA. They’ve sent letters to Turner and met face-to-face with him as recently as last week. There is also an online petition titled “Change the Name or Shut It Down” that had nearly 2,500 signatures by press time.
Illegal Pete’s opened today, Thursday, Dec. 10. MEChA referred to it as “D-Day,” urging those who signed the petition, and any other supporters, to rally outside the restaurant. The group also held a press conference outside Illegal Pete’s on Wednesday, Dec. 9.
“(I want Turner) to understand that we are not typical students. My own family not having documentation, being afraid of the possibility of not coming home after work,” says UA MEChA member Mónica Contreras.
This is a symbolic year for undocumented students, known as DREAMers, because it is the first year they are able to attend the university paying in-state tuition. They’ve argued having the word “illegal” so close to campus solidifies its meaning. “The message that his restaurant is sending is very detrimental. It is bringing up that trauma that we have constantly have to navigate through every day on top of our other responsibilities.”
Turner says he understands where protesters are coming from. In a way, he admires that this group of students is so passionate about questioning things. He’s heard countless stories by those affected by the country’s crippled immigration system and the bigotry that stems from an issue that’s so politically polarized. Between his eight Illegal Pete’s, many of his staff members are Mexican and Central American immigrants, and Turner is very familiar with the problems they have faced.
In his eyes, the word “illegal” as it pertains to his restaurant has absolutely nothing to do with immigrants or racial disrespect.
But, “No word is empty of meaning,” says Maribel Alvarez, associate research professor at the UA’s School of Anthropology and Director of the Southwest Folklife Alliance. “It is disingenuous to claim that there was good intention in naming the restaurant. Add the elements of Mexican food, the Southwest, Tucson … it is an unfortunate name, it hits all the wrong notes.”
Alvarez, too, supports a name change. She says it’d be like a sign of good faith—that he’s truly listening to his adoptive community.
Turner feels cheated in a way. The meaning of this one word has changed over time. He thinks of people who use it in a derogatory way as a bunch of assholes who have created an ignorant and tense atmosphere that he hopes will soon disappear.
At his latest meeting with MEChA, Turner suggested hosting fundraisers for the group, and maybe other organizations on and off campus. He’s proud of a lot of the partnerships he has in Colorado with nonprofits and efforts like the living wage movement, as well as programs for at-risk youth and people in prison.
Rodriguez sees the offer as a bribe, adding this isn’t about hosting “MEChA Monday or wetback Wednesday” and the problem vanishes.
“‘He has the audacity … and I suspect there are always people who are willing to take that,” he says. “I mentioned memory, but also dignity, and that is not for sale. That doesn’t make (the name) less insulting. It just means someone is taking money somewhere … to shut up.”
Turner is not changing the name for now. Turner says he respects any type of demonstration, and that he is willing to keep conversations flowing until a gray area can be reached.
“It’s just hard,” he says. All (Turner) asks is that “everything remains civil, that people are respectful, we are not disrespectful … we don’t stand for that. It is always good to continue to talk, people with different opinions to just talk.”
But critics only see one solution: change the name.
“The idea that there is no real problem because ‘illegal’ doesn’t have anything to do with the food, and the food doesn’t have anything to do with the people,” Rodriguez says. “If you write something, it doesn’t matter what you mean, the person that sees the sign or billboard…nobody is going to be there to censor it or say, ‘Oh no, that is not what I meant.’ Illegal Pete’s Mexican restaurant, that is the connection, and he does not see it.”
This article appears in Dec 10-16, 2015.
So Illegal immigrants violate the law and the border and then demand we change the name of a restaurant? Tucson has a proud Hispanic tradition and racism has no place here, but calling illegal immigration what it is isn’t racism, it’s accuracy.
Mechanical can go f*can it self. I know where I’m eating to night.
WHY IS HE MEETING with supporters of criminals? What’s next, meeting with rapist support groups?
This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of. The UA students protesting this should focus more on their studies, because they are quite obviously very uneducated.
I’ll be there for lunch. In a country where folks are allowed to burn our flag because of freedom of speech, this restaurant can call itself illegal Petes and be proud.
Ridiculous. While we’re at it, let’s protest against the Gringo Grill for promoting white supremacy, Burger King for promoting a monarchy, or Black-Eyed Pea for promoting violence.
I’m Hispanic and I’m going to go there and eat. Even the die hard Hispanic activists should be ok with the explanation the owner, Pete, has given. In my opinion it is NOT being used in a derogatory manner and I’m not offended. Why don’t the protesters get on Trump. He’s the problem not some name of a restaurant!
Trump is against ILLEGAL immigration. That’s a problem how?
That’s a problem for democrats trying to replace the voters that they have lost with their anti American progressive crap.
These protesters should be sued for slander. With rights come responsibilities. Let’s eat at Illegal Pete’s.
This PC culture is too much. I will support Illegal Pete’s more than otherwise just because of these ridiculous protests.
“But, “No word is empty of meaning,” says Maribel Alvarez, associate research professor at the UA’s School of Anthropology and director of the Southwest Center. “It is disingenuous to claim that there was good intention in naming the restaurant. Add the elements of Mexican food, the Southwest, Tucson … it is an unfortunate name, it hits all the wrong notes.”
It appears that this person is blinded by hate and guilt. Take a break from your political and social agenda and find the good in people. They aren’t all trying to take you down with their chimichangas.
These Constitutionally and historically ignorant people are dangerous to what has made America such a great experiment in personal freedom
…I will eat there & thank them for providing jobs and taxes to our community – amongst and despite such ignorant (& some even “illegal”) brats!
Don’t be bullied by a bunch of losers who know no more about their heritage than what their leaders tell them. I live on the Eastside and we’d welcome you with open arms. Restaurant Row has several vacancies and we judge you by the food not your damn name.
How come nowhere in the article did it mention you pay your workers “$17 an hour. Selective editing ?
It’s sad that this is the commentary and not the fact that “Illegal Pete’s” totally bucks the trend of paying restaurant employees low wages. This restaurant is great for our community! Over $17 an hour in wages and benefits! Maybe those students should do less protesting and more filling out of applications….
There is nothing racial or immoral about this name, the same goes for supporting the deportation of every person here illegally. Dear Mecha , we don’t care about your outrage one bit because to the ones who actually get a say (American citizens) the fact that your even in my country illegally is an abomination that needs to be rectified with your immediate deportation. In other words, your lucky we don’t expel you at gunpoint so shut up and be quiet and go get legal or GTFO.
I’m O.K. with Mexican food, but don’t go out of my way to eat it. However, I’ll be there opening day with bells on. These Mecha stooges don’t realize that they will be the biggest contributers to Petes success.
The critics are searching for reasons to be offended, which keeps them from being sensible and accepting to the actual meaning of the name. Their tunnel vision is making something out of absolutely nothing. It’s a pathetic sign of these times unfortunately.
How many words have now been removed from the !st Amendment regarding free speech? Is anybody going to dare speak up? Just look at who the real racists are.
This is a bunch of UofA students who don’t have anything to do over winter intersession because their families dont want them at home. This is a bunch of misfit “SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIORS” who can’t grasp that words have meanings other than the meanings THEY want to give them. This is a bunch of CHILDREN who don’t grasp what the 1st Amendment is. But mostly these “protesters” are just awful people who make the entire world a worse place.
This is one of those times I almost would feel a little gratified to see the police get rough with some UofA students (like they did in those “riots” a couple years ago, the riots that never happened)…but nah, the 1st Amendment is more important than that, so those of us with common sense put up with this childish idiocy.
People! Is there no way to say what you have to say without being so damned uncivil to each other? The comments in this are way out of line.
I got a whole bunch of dislikes. No answers, just dislikes. Some things never change.
As a former Illegal Pete employee and Tucson resident, I feel like I bring a unique perspective to this unfortunate situation. When I first heard that Illegal Pete’s was opening its first location in Tucson, literally blocks from the house I grew up in, I was thrilled. For everyone that is not in the know, Illegal Pete’s has been an icon in Colorado for 20 years. Pete’s is not only celebrated for its quality food, but because Pete embodies everything that is great about independent restaurants. Amazing food, amazing music, most importantly a dedication to its community. After 20 years, people will still wait in line for an hour because they know Pete does everything right. He, unlike most restaurants, treats his employees like they are family. Given that most of his staff are college students, he was more than flexible in allowing us to concentrate on our studies and was more than generous in providing food (not a cheap commodity for most students). I for one was treated to a lavish Sushi dinner when I graduated (amongst others) because he was proud that we took our school and our jobs seriously. For his non-student employees, who are of every race, they have worked for him for decades because he treats them not as cooks or dishwashers, but as valued leaders.
It should also be noted that 20,000 people attended his 20th anniversary concert in Colorado. Would this have happened if he was a racist? What existing Tucson restaurant would have 20,000 show up in appreciation?
I love Tucson because the term “local” has real meaning and we love our fabled establishments. This is first time, I’ve been ashamed. Before you accuse someone of insensitivity or racism, please do your research. If you want to continue to embrace the monster fast food chains of the world, go ahead. But I’m telling you right now, you should be grateful Illegal Pete’s is finally here. Our taste buds, and more importantly our community, will be better off in the long run.
See what I mean ??
What a stupid thing to put so much energy into. These groups have seriously strained my last nerve.
A racist organization like MECHa calling someone racist is comical. They are the Hispanic version of the KKK. They get away with it because in this country, if you’re skin isn’t white, it’s okay to be openly racist.
I feel all the anger and hatred being directed at this restaurant says more about the bad character of the protesters than anything about Illegal Pete’s.
I would be ashamed if I were the parent of one of those kids protesting. And the professors involved should be fired. It’s an embarrassment to the university, and I feel it’s illegal harassment.
Are these students already ignorant or is the UofA making them ignorant?
Jack, UofA professors were part of the group, so what do you think? I think these special teacups are the ones acting with racism and intolerance. I somehow doubt they would have had a problem if the owner’s last name was Spanish.
Michael Hecht– how dare you say the words “illegal harassment”! If you don’t stop using that word in even its proper senses, someone will call the Thought Police on you! As a matter of fact, we should all start protesting law classes at the U of A for using that ugly word so much! After all…no word is devoid of meaning, right? 😛
Get over your own racism MEChA. if this restaurant is paying 17 an hour plus benefits they should be celebrated.