A Culture Clash Through Coffee and Paninis

Corsair Cafe by Tortuga Bay owner Mario Perez (blue shirt) and his team pose in front of the newly opened cafe in the main campus cafeteria of Santa Monica College on Friday, September 7, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. Angel Venegas, Estefany Valadez, Abraham Cruz, Ana Lozano, and Benito Martinez (left to right). (Photo by: Catherine Lima)

Independently owned Corsair Cafe by Tortuga Bay opens its doors to Santa Monica College on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, in Santa Monica, Calif. Mario Perez, owner of Tortuga Bay says: “I did cater events here, and I saw the spot empty for so many years. I asked for it and, eventually, they put it on the market. I applied for it and I was the lucky guy between thirteen different people.”

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Perez came to the United States twenty years ago. In 2008, he opened up Tortuga Bay, a Mexican restaurant next to the Forum in Inglewood, California. 

At this new location, however, he has created a fusion of cultures he likes to call “Mexi-talian.” Perez says,“I want it to be Mexican, but there is no gas here so there's no way I can make Mexican food without gas. Everything is electric, so we have to modify the menu in order to serve something good.” Modifications of their menu include, calling a torta (a sandwich made from bolio, a baguette-type bread in Mexican culture) a panini instead, and serving Lavazza coffee from Italy. 

Back in the kitchen, Corsair Cafe employee Angel Venegas, heats up a panini on their electric panini grill in only 55 seconds, whereas a regular panini press takes seven minutes. Due to being on a college campus now, Perez mentions that they expect longer lines, so taking care of guests with this new technology is more convenient.

Out in the cafeteria, Patricia Rosales, a custodian at SMC for two and a half years, takes a break and waits for her Mocha and Breakfast Panini. “It's very delicious! I've already eaten two,” she says. Silvia Rosales, a 13-year custodian at SMC, joins P. Rosales for break and shares, “I've tried the turkey, pesto and provolone sandwich and it is delicious.” S. Rosales continues to add, “Right now they have a promotion. For one dollar more, aside from the sandwich, they give you whichever natural salad. The prices are great.”(Quotes by both P. and S. Rosales are rough Spanish-English translations).

Cristina Guritenco, a first year chemistry student at SMC waits for a tomato soup as she drinks a Vampiro juice (fresh-squeezed organic green apple, celery, parsley, cactus and pineapple) from Corsair Cafe. Guritenco says, “I really like that they have really good choices, like fresh ones. I prefer to eat, every single day, a different kind of soup.” 

First year SMC student, Ada Soch, orders a pasta salad for the first time at Corsair Cafe. Soch says, “I really like the experience. I like that they are really friendly and everything is all ready. It's quick and there is no line. They have a variety of options.” 

Staff and students can visit the Corsair Cafe in the cafeteria of the SMC main campus located at 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405. They are open from 7:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m on Mondays through Thursdays, and from 7:00 a.m to 3:00 pm on Fridays.