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Perhaps it's his easy-going personality and friendly attitude
that opens doors of opportunity for Patrick John McKenna.
Known by friends and patrons as PJ, of PJ's
Cafe in Taichung, he sees life as a journey and his own
thus far has been one filled with adventure. The Chinese proverb
"sui yu er an" (being adaptable to any situation
and feeling at home wherever you are) aptly applies to his
experiences here and abroad.
New Jersey-born and raised, he grew up in a family that was
not well off but created its own success. His mother was an
activist for a well-known organization against rape. His closest
brother, 11 months his senior, is a prominent East Coast attorney.
PJ was always the free spirit of the family and although he
spent some time in corporate America, he eventually opted
for a more easy-going approach to life.
Setting off with a minimal amount of belongings and money
at a young age, he hitch-hiked across America. He settled
and lived for 11 years in California where he was a contractor
during the day and studied real estate at night school. In
his "spare" time he also studied and became licensed
in massage. After getting his license and working for a prominent
real estate firm in Southern California, he decided to give
this up in exchange for yet another adventure. Having traveled
around the world once before on a shoestring, he set off once
again. Landing in Taipei about six years ago, he recalls,
"I had about NT$300 in my pocket." He ventured south
to Taichung and a youth hostel referred him to Luigi's, one
of the few "happening" places in town at the time.
There may have been an omen in this as, six years ago, Luigi's
(Napoli) occupied the site where PJ's is today. After a short
time in Taichung, PJ found work near Kenting in south Taiwan
teaching English. His goal was to raise money to do some further
travel. After teaching for awhile, he set off on a five month
journey to Thailand, Malaysia, India and Nepal, stopping to
teach English in the Nepalese village of Gorapani and another
town. In Gorapani, he said, people shared his philosophy of
extending kindness to others. They sort of adapted him, and
paid him for teaching by providing food and housing while
he was there.
PJ returned to Taichung with some new insights and goals.
He looked for a place to set up a restaurant. Luigi was selling
his corner spot so PJ jumped at the opportunity, put as much
money as he could down and began painting the place which
is now PJ's Cafe. A year and a half ago his restaurant opened.
At first the crowd was mostly English teachers. After the
1998 American Chamber Fourth of July celebration in Taichung,
he said the clientele grew to include many corporate executives
and baseball players. Today, an eclectic mix, including a
large German crowd at times, populates the cafe on any given
evening.
He attributes the growth to the fact that he genuinely likes
people and wants them to feel at home while spending time
at PJ's. He has done a minimal amount of advertising so most
of his customers hear about his place by word of mouth. After
his lease expires in December, 1999, PJ will set up his place
in another locale and already is making plans for injecting
more of his own personality and style to the place he moves
to.
His food offerings have grown along with his customers. Some
of the favorites on the menu include his hand-crafted quesadillas
at NT$185, his Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, overflowing
with cheese and high grade ground beef, with choice of salsa
or other dressings at NT$150 for a half or NT$250 for a whole
sandwich. His salsa has been described as the best in town,
loaded with fresh ground garlic. PJ invented a good majority
of these recipes and now has a team of cooks who can also
present the food according to PJ's original recipes.
His drink selection speaks for itself, as anyone who has tried
one of them can attest to. Special dinners at Thanksgiving
include the entire feast for NT$350 with a leftover meal the
next day at NT$200 per person. He does the same at Christmas.
There is also a book exchange and library set up in a corner
of his wood and brick-enhanced corner spot, which he said
has been a success.
In the future, PJ plans to add some set menus to his offerings.
"A good meat and potatoes meal featuring a different
meat and salad each night" is in the works, at a price
of NT$350 to NT$400 a plate, he said.
He especially wants to add some good Irish mashed potatoes,
having an Irish heritage and missing the flavor of them himself.
Longer range goals are to return to California, become domestic
and set up a licensed business in Eastern massage, an interest
which was enhanced during his most recent tour to Thailand.
With his ability to create success and his outgoing way with
people, it is certain there are yet more adventures awaiting
him in years to come.
More
on PJ's
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