Meet J.T.
Once you meet him, you wont forget him. Tall and burly, sometimes with a lumberjack beard, he’s one of the friendly faces behind the bar here at Rio Tomatlan.
INTERVIEW: November 2019
HJ: Do you drink?
JT: “I do. Never trust a sober bartender. LOL!”
HJ: When you aren’t here, where do you drink?
JT: ”Usually RIO but if not here, I like to try breweries.”
HJ: What stands out for you when you remember your first day here at RIO?
JT: “The language barrier - a lot of Spanish drinks so I had to learn the inflections on the words.”
HJ: Describe a typical day in your life.
JT: “Busy parent.” All my days are so different. I try to be a fun dad.”
HJ: What do you like to do on your own time?
JT: I like to play and listen to live music. I love to read. I listen to all kinds of music. A lot of jam stuff.”
HJ: Rio is a busy place. How do you cope with the stress of so many customers?
JT: “I thrive in chaos and stress. LOL”
HJ: How do you ensure accuracy in your work?
JT: “I used visual cues. After 10 years, even if you wing it, it’s going to be good.”
HJ: What’s the stupidest question you’ve ever been asked?
JT: I have had a few. Like -“Can I get a Virgin, Authentic Margarita?” Sure. But that would be just lime juice. A lot of people ask what the wifi is when there is a big sign on the bar.”
HJ: You said you’ve been doing this 10 years, where else have you worked?
JT: “I have a lot of experience, a couple of previous ones were Catch 407 and The Wine and Culinary Center.”
HJ: Have you taken any formal Bartender Training?
JT: “I was really thrown right into it. But I have studied the industry. Studied wines and gave beer classes.”
HJ: A wine glass falls on the floor and smashes during a rush- what do you do?
JT: “Clear it up. Then blame Trevor.”