Mr Papa: Your favourite Peruvian street food is now being delivered

Posted on 25 April, 2020

From a humble van in Braddon to a cult following, Peruvian street food vendor Mr Papa knows how to shapeshift like no other. But its new offerings are firmly rooted in togetherness.

There are few eateries in Canberra that can claim fans like Mr Papa.

The Peruvian street food vendor might have started with a single van in Lonsdale Street’s The Hamlet in 2014, but fast forward six years and Mr Papa could be spotted at public events, food festivals—even weddings—a long line snaking from their distinctive ‘Papita’ food van.

However, that all came crashing down in the last few weeks, thanks to COVID-19. But it’s not all bad news.

With 90% of their 2020 events cancelled, Mr Papa has shapeshifted once more—to a unique delivery service that includes date night and family packs, and even ‘make at home’ options.

“We put together a menu that’s simple to deliver but tasty,” explains Mr Papa Founder Carlos Ramirez-Roldan, adding that they’ve even brought back some of the dishes they first became known for when they started in The Hamlet.

“People always ask for the Empanadas,” laughs Carlos. “So we’ve brought them back for delivery. And, of course, Chanchitos are on there!”

But it’s not just a bite of nostalgia they’ll be delivering. Mr Papa is also offering the chance to cook Peruvian at home with ‘heat and eat’ options for some takeaway items such as empanadas and chicken wings.

Carlos sees this time as challenging—but also a great excuse for more quality time at home.

“We want people to enjoy spending time with family—a bit of home cooking wouldn’t hurt,” he says, musing that in the future he would love to arrange a special Spotify playlist for patrons to play at home while cooking or eating their Mr Papa takeaway.

“Just to keep the feeling of being with us, you know—to celebrate the times that have been and the times to come.”

It’s not just the families who order Mr Papa that Carlos wants to champion.

In a move that has allowed them to retain far more staff, Mr Papa isn’t on any of the takeaway or delivery apps. Instead, Mr Papa staff are driving delivery themselves—”to keep the family together”—with takeaway ordered via their website or over the phone.

“We said ‘Let’s keep the team together—let’s make that happen’,” says Carlos. “So our events staff, our bartenders and our servers have become delivery drivers.”

“We’re small and we’re local, but we’re trying to keep the vibe alive.”

Photography: Daniel Keeffe at Keepsakephoto by the Keeffes