At the grand opening of Illegal Pete’s in Tucson last winter, protesters from the University of Arizona converged in anger and contempt, accusing the establishment in a petition of “blissful ignorance and profit from racism” over its eye-catching name.
Students with M.E.Ch.A., as well as from the activism organization Unidos, gathered with signs at the restaurant next to the campus proclaiming: “Pete’s: Where racist people eat!” “No human being is illegal!” “#dropthenamepete!” and “Would it be different if it was Cracker Pete’s?”
But something happened over the last several months to quell the anger. Students started eating there and, turns out, many love the place. Today, Illegal Pete’s enjoys regulars, and protests have disappeared.
On any given day, large groups of students can be seen hanging out, drinking beers and munching on burritos at the two-story eatery that also boasts a full bar, outdoor seating, and a large deck overlooking University Boulevard.
A Daily Wildcat opinion column even chimed in a month after the opening with: “Controversy Aside, Illegal Pete’s is worth a visit,” citing its friendly staff, festive atmosphere, and good food.
Other students said in interviews with The College Fix that the controversy was unnecessary.
“They were being very dramatic about the whole situation,” said University of Arizona student Joshua Morales, who is Latino. “They were making a storm in a glass of water. It’s just a restaurant—it’s good food.”
But the restaurant chain also prompted protests from college students in Colorado in 2014 upset over the name. Yet the story behind “Illegal Pete’s” shows it isn’t actually racist.
The 20-year-old chain was named after both a bar in a novel and owner, Pete Turner, who shares a name with his “good-natured hell raiser” father, one aspect of the “illegal” moniker, the owner explains online.
“Second, the name to me was unique and counter-cultural, which I appreciated as a younger man. Still do,” he added. “Beyond that, Illegal Pete’s didn’t really imply anything to me. It could be a bar, a book store, restaurant, or a head shop – it could be anything really, and that was the point.”
Deane Smith, manager of Illegal Pete’s in Tucson, said the owner was personally impacted by the protests, but ultimately felt he’d keep an open dialogue.
“Pete’s a really, really good guy. Over a 20-year period of time, words change. We understood that. We understand that,” Smith said.
And while the protests have died down, there’s still some solidarity with people who find the name offensive.
Zeina Peterson is a member of the Black Student Union and works closely with marginalized students and told The College Fix that because of this, she won’t eat there.
“It looks like it’s a cool place to be but I know, with my background and who I surround myself with, it wouldn’t be acceptable, it’d be disrespectful,” she said.
As of now there are still no plans to change the name from Illegal Pete’s. Smith said she is just glad Tucson seems to have embraced them despite the offended groups, and hopes the chain will continue expanding while maintaining the promise of an open dialogue.
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IMAGES: Kasey Marie Shores
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