Search
Going to the Jail
Everyone once in a while I get the craving for salsa and chips. I don't mean out of some jar. I mean real homemade salsa and chips, and you just can't get it anymore. Not the kind that Jay used to make when he operated The Tijuana Jail restaurant.
There was a time when that was my regular Thursday night dining spot. I miss the Jail a lot. I miss Steve behind the bar and even though I've never been a big beer drinker it seemed like nothing went better with a pitcher of beer than Jay's salsa and chips ... and an order of nachos and refried beans with jalapeno peppers sitting atop all that melted cheese.
Oh, I'd give up my best Steve Garvey baseball card to be able to relive some of the great times I had at the Tijuana Jail. Being greeted by Doris and then getting that complimentary bowl of salsa and chips. Nobody, and I mean nobody, can top Jay's secret recipe.
Did you ever sit in Solataire? Remember the little booth adjacent to the bar area, where they could close the jailcell door and leave you inside with a plateful of Mexican food and your favorite beverage? That was my Mom's favorite place to sit. I can't tell you how many hours the Gagnon family logged in Solataire. But I sure miss it!
The Tijuana Jail is where I first met Caroline and Heather, waitresses who later became my colleagues at Stafford Middle School. At the time the Jail probably had more regular customers than any other restaurant in the North Country. All the food was homemade, no frozen packaged dinners here, and it was the closest most of us would ever get to real Mexican food.
The Titherington family bought the building when the Jail closed its doors several years ago. They remodeled the inside and it became Geoffrey's Pub, a great place to meet, drink and dine.
But I've been craving Jay's salsa lately. I wonder if he still makes it once in awhile, just for family ... or for friends ... or for old customers ... or for certain website bloggers. I'd give up my Pancho Herrera rookie baseball card for just one more bowl of the Jail's salsa and chips.
Comments
Does anyone have the recipe for the salsa that was served at Tijuana Jail Restaurants when they were still open? My husband and I used to go all the time in Silverdale and Port Orchard, WAshington. Thanks so much
(Foxy's note: Can't comment on the jails that you refer to, but the recipe for the salsa served at the TJ in Plattsburgh belongs to Jay himself, and, he still makes it in his kitchen for special occasions.)
Posted by: sharon | January 28, 2007 3:39 PM
I played piano at the Jail from '78 - '82 mostly 5 nights a week. The food was terrific and we packed the place on the weekends and sometimes during the week. I staged 3 successful fall Jazz Concerts, however when I moved to NYC I couldn't convince any of my cronies to carry on. I'm convinced that those jazz concerts today would've been as big as Newport. They were growing that much.
Posted by: gary snow | October 1, 2006 5:23 PM
Sorry I disagree about the Smoked Pepper's salsa. It's good but doesn't compare to Jay's. My favorite dish is chicken and asparagus enchilada, hmmm think it's about time I get back there.
Posted by: Laura | September 16, 2006 7:45 AM
YES, the "Jail" had the BEST salsa ever. There has not been any salsa anywhere that compares to the "Jails'" salsa. I did not go there alot but when I did it was for the SALSA! I think that Jay should sell it.
Posted by: Beth Coolidge | September 13, 2006 9:01 AM
Have you tried the homemade salsa and chips at Taco-Loco on Brinkerhoff St ? The salsa tastes just like it did at the jail.
(Foxy's note: OK, you better not be kidding, Rick K! I am going to get some right now for my four o'clock snack. Hopefully they do take-out on the salsa and chips the way the Jail used to.)
Posted by: Rick K | September 11, 2006 11:51 AM
Foxy,
Have you tried the salsa at "The Smoked Pepper?" It's terrific!! Real Fresh and has quite a bite. The food is great and the drinks are better. Highly recommend the Chicken and Asparagus Enchilada with a Cadillac Margarita.
Dr. Monzi
(Foxy's note: thanks for the tip. I will mark my calendar to get there this week.)
Posted by: Monty | September 11, 2006 11:29 AM