Our history
The Story of Paxapoga: A Family Legacy That Spans Generations
In the heart of Cerredo, Asturias, surrounded by mountains and coal mines, a story began that would transcend borders and generations. It was 1944 when Antonio Riesco, a young mine worker, made his way from a small town called Riotorno every day to the Menéndez house in Cerredo for lunch. There, Florentina Menéndez, affectionately known as Tina, helped her mother cook for the miners. Amidst pots and plates of hot food, Antonio and Tina met and fell in love in a setting marked by the Spanish post-Civil War.
The Origin of the Name: From Pasapoga to Paxapoga
Tina and Antonio's villages, Cerredo and Riotorno, were connected by a mountain road. Halfway along that path was a tavern called "Pasapoga," a meeting place for travelers trekking through the mountains. Its name was an acronym for the surnames of the family that ran it: Paredes, Salas, Ponce, Gallo. Years later, that tavern would serve as inspiration for a dream Tina and Antonio shared: to own their own business. They renamed that idea "Paxapoga," a name that blended the traditional Asturian "puxa" with the "X" characteristic of Bable, the regional language of Asturias.
The American Dream
Antonio and Tina married young and, full of dreams, opened their first bar in Cerredo. However, a letter of recommendation from an uncle in Buenos Aires changed their lives forever. They left their small business and the mine behind and set off in pursuit of the American dream with their first son, Toni, who was only three years old. After a fifteen-day boat trip, they arrived in Buenos Aires. Antonio worked as a dishwasher in downtown bars, while Tina worked as a doorman in a building. It was in that city that their daughter Angélica was born, and where the family lived for more than two decades, accumulating experiences and dreams.
Your Place in the World: Discovering Pinamar
In 1977, a construction project by their son led them to discover Pinamar, a small town of just 5,000 inhabitants. The opportunity arose to open a restaurant on a corner that would eventually become the city's most iconic. On December 31, 1978, they opened Paxapoga, which continued to grow from day one. In 1989, a second dining room was added, and in 1992, a third, reaching a capacity of 400. Finally, in 1995, the restaurant expanded once again, reaching almost 500 seats and establishing itself as one of the busiest restaurants on the coast.
New Challenges: The Generation That Expanded the Dream
In 2009, Antonio and Tina's children and grandchildren took over and opened their second location: "Paxapoga del Mar," located just three blocks from the first, across from the beach. The success was immediate, and, encouraged by this achievement, they expanded the brand to Cariló, where they opened "Paxapoga del Bosque Cariló" in 2012. Thus, the family's vision continued to grow and adapt to changing times.
The Pandemic: A Time of Great Change
Antonio's death in 2017, at the age of 93, marked a turning point for the family. Three years later, with the 2020 pandemic, Tina's health deteriorated, and the family decided to close the original restaurant in Pinamar, feeling it couldn't continue without the presence of its founders. Meanwhile, the new generations continued: in 2019, they opened "Paxapoga Palermo" within the Cangas del Narcea Center in Buenos Aires, a space that honors Antonio and Tina's Asturian roots, offering typical dishes and traditional drinks from their homeland.
During the pandemic, “Paxapoga del Mar” transformed into “Paxapoga en Casa,” a proposal that allowed customers to continue enjoying their favorite dishes from the comfort of their homes.
Return to Pinamar: Returning to the Roots
After losing Tina in 2021, the family decided to return to Pinamar in 2024 with a new restaurant that reflects the original spirit of Paxapoga. A place with unique charm, ready to welcome our guests who fondly remember their visits to Paxapoga, inviting them to fall in love with it, just like Antonio and Tina did at the beginning of their journey.
Paxapoga: A Legacy of Family and Tradition
Paxapoga isn't just a name; it's a legacy. A family business born from the effort and love of a couple who worked tirelessly to fulfill their dream. Today, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren continue that tradition, passing on the values and flavors of a family that, with every dish, honors its roots and history. Although Antonio and Tina are no longer with us, their memory lives on in every recipe from the restaurants that bear their name. Paxapoga is a tribute to their memory and a testament to the power of shared dreams, generation after generation.