Sure, you might ask yourself why you might care about the controversy over drama at a chain of burrito places in Colorado, but considering the Illegal Pete’s concept is coming to Tucson at some point, the controversy about the “Illegal” part of their name is somewhat interesting:
From Eater:
The owner of a burrito chainlet in Colorado will not change its controversial name despite serious protests. According to KDVR, Pete Turner, the owner of Illegal Pete’s, wrote an open letter on the restaurant’s website defending the name. Last month, activists took issue with the term “illegal” because they feel it is a negative stereotype referring to immigrants who crossed the border into the United States without official paperwork. Others likened the term to a “racial slur.”
[In a lengthy blog post,] he also explains the name: Turner claims that the name is a “literary reference to a bar in a novel he read as an English major” and that pete refers to his and his father’s name. Turner opens the seventh location of Illegal Pete’s on November 13.
While the first question that comes to my mind isn’t about the word “illegal” but more concerning Tucson’s need for another Colorado company to sell us burritos (Chipotle started in Denver), it does seem like there’s a lot to like about the company: they serve Niman Ranch meats, employees receive “above-average” pay and benefits (front-of-the-house new hires will start at $32,000 a year starting in April of 2015), they offer touring bands a free meal, they also have a record label which features some cool bands and comedians, etc.
But, yeah, if you’re serving Mexican food and the word “illegal” is in your name, people might get a certain impression. It would seem, however – and I write this realizing my own privilege might come into play here – that some of the protestors are overblowing this a bit:
Others at the meeting likened the name to a racial slur directed at African-Americans, hanging a Confederate flag in the restaurant’s window or calling a restaurant “Smoking Lynching BBQ.”
Illegal Pete’s hasn’t announced a specific timetable for coming to Tucson, although all reports indicate it would be “in the next year.”
This article appears in Nov 6-12, 2014.
For Pete’s sake a burrito can not be illegal.
do your homework. read the blog post. people dig it
Should people be upset? Only if your name is Mari Herreras
What novel? Did the weekly bother to do any investigating to see if the story checks out? I realize this is just a blog but you guys need to actually report on the story from as many angles as you can. Whatever the case it’s an unfortunate name choice.
Screw the illegals. Period. And that’s my gentlest suggestion.
Wow. A tempest in a teapot.
Most white people in Colorado are insensitive. If the restaurant tries to locate in Tucson they’ll have to change the name.
The only people that will be “offended” are probably the Grijalvas, gringos who seem take up ethnic causes (while the ethnics laugh at them) and guy’s like Harrison Shaffer above, who who know how things are in CO, AZ, and most likley everywhere else.
The impending arrival of Illegal Pete’s in Tucson… what right-minded individual thinks that this will not be controversial?
Am Mex American and I speak for my illegal cousins aunts and uncles we are not offended at all freedoms is what makes this country the best in the world now i hope everybody has the same open mind as I do when I open my restaurant “honkey burgers”
What is offensive is the utter stupidity of the people in this country. THE NAME HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IMMIGRATION! The word illegal is describing the establishment, not the name “Pete”. Furthermore, how many “illegals” are named Pete? Get it, like there’s an air of mystery to it? But why is it illegal? well, the burritos are so good they oughta be! Seriously, it’s just pathetic how many entitled, hyper-sensitive, vain, moralizing children there on college campuses now. F- off with your cultural marxist bull crap. And as far as “cultural appropriation” goes, stop using the math, sciences, clothing and technology derived and developed from other cultures if you’re that butt-hurt about white people making guac.
Being illegal is a crime, being called one is not, if the shoe fits………………..go home
Butt-hurt morons need to fornicate an acid-soaked cactus.
Aside from this not being the origin of the name… The term “illegal” when referring to “immigrants who crossed the border into the United States without official paperwork” is an accurate way to describe them in the English language. It’s ridiculous if people are offended by that. Having said that… look at the facts and it’s clear to see who’s being unreasonable?
They really are so much better than Chipotle. Give it a chance and don’t let names come between me and my favorite burrito joint ever! Please!
I’m more concerned that anyone of Mexican decent that’s offended by the name is here illegally. If one is a legal resident of Tucson, the name “Illegal” Pete’s has nothing to do with them. To those championing the causes of the illegal immigrants but remain opposed to the name , I say, “Pick your battles.” This shouldn’t be one of them. Btw, my daughter and I will be at Illegal Pete’s on opening night. I really had no plans on going, but I like the idea of sticking it to these local Hispanic ne’er do wells.
Maybe the name SHOULD be changed. My choice for a different name would be “Undocumented Pedro’s.”
Somebody has allowed themselves to get awful sensitive about free speech. Do not support the activities of the malcontents. Stay calm and eat at “Illegals.” I hear it’s great.
Think of the irony of hiring legal citizens. They will be the carne asada of fast food joints.
I like how all the jobless jerkwads are disliking EVERY logical post that supports Illegal Pete’s. BTW I took my friends there last night simply because of the protestors, our bill was nearly $100 because we were a large group. The place is great and the employees were awesome! The protesters were jackass bullies though, and I really was wishing the cops would actually do their job and move them from obstructing access. TPD, why wouldn’t you do your jobs? This is harassment under state law.