For years after Bill and I married, we frequented a family-run Mexican restaurant in a shopping center known as Loehmann’s Plaza. It was the kind of place that didn’t take reservations. If you showed up with a group on a Friday night—our family was automatically a group—you gave them your name, got in line, and waited. Eventually, for reasons I don’t know, the restaurant operation moved from the Factoria area to Bellevue Square, and we followed it there until that branch closed down as well.
The next time they resurfaced was in Kirkland on 85th in a restaurant called Tres Hermanos. (Do not try to dictate the words Tres Hermanos to Siri. She does NOT speak conversational or even restaurant Spanish!)
Tres Hermanos showed up in Kirkland about the time my daughter and her husband moved into the neighborhood, and they were a haven for Jeanne T. and Jon while they duked it out with Jon’s melanoma.
The people who run the restaurant know their customers and they care. During one of Jon’s hospitalizations, one of his friends showed up in town for a visit, and Jeanne T. took him to Tres for lunch. The service was appalling—for the first time ever. Finally she realized what the problem was. They thought she was there two-timing Jon. When she set everyone straight on that score, the service improved immeasurably.
Our grandson, Colt, was nine months old when we lost his dad to the Big C. Three months later, when it came time for Colt’s first birthday celebration, that’s where we went—Tres Hermanos. It’s been the same story for Colt’s birthday every year since, and today’s the day he turned eleven. When we go there, I’m not NYTimes best selling author, J.A. Jance. At Tres Hermanos, I’m Colt’s Grandma. Or Cauliflower Ears’ Grandma which what Miguel Piña usually calls him.
Two years ago, Colt joined a bowling league. Our daughter was delighted that her son had found a sport that a: He loved and b: Didn’t require sun screen. Grandpa told Colt what when his bowling scores topped 100, we’d get him a ball. When it came time to deliver on that promise, the only ball that would do was a Seahawks Super Bowl ball. And he got one.
He’s been bowling ever since, winning tournaments here and there along the way. This past week his high score edged up to 208, and a new ball was called for—a viral ball this time around. Back in the old days, freshman and sophomore students at the University of Arizona were required to take PE. As a consequence, my checkered past includes pulling out a barely passing grade for a semester’s worth of bowling. Based on that, you can be sure that my knowledge when it comes to bowling balls is … well … limited. A viral ball? Does that mean it’s contagious?
So I asked Colt why his coach thought he needed a viral ball. “Because it’s less responsive.”
That’s what he said. I’m not sure it’s what he meant. It seems to me that you’d want a ball to be more responsive rather than less, but maybe that’s just me.
At any rate, the viral ball arrived yesterday. It’s not an official Seahawks ball, but it has the right color scheme. Today we drove up to Kenmore Lanes in Bothell to have the ball drilled. Tonight we’ll go to Tres Hermanos to celebrate.
Hold the Tacos al Carbon! And for dessert? Cupcakes topped with bowling pins, of course.
How fun. Enjoy your celebration and Happy Birthday to Colt.
Happy Birthday to Colt! And congratulations to him on such a high bowling score!
I also have an 11 year old grandson and he joined a bowling league this year. He enjoys it so much he chose it for his birthday party this year. Even his littlest cousins could participate with the special setups on the alleys for them.
We introduced him to golf 3 years ago and our Midwest winters require patience waiting for the greens to turn green again. But bowling can be enjoyed in any climate!
(Thanks for writing about Colt. I had been wondering how he was doing.)
So sweet. Thanks for the reminder of how important family traditions are ?
It’s great to have a restaurant that’s like family. We had one in Tempe for years. When it was sold and the owner moved to Philly, we kept in touch until he died. We also exchanged Christmas cards with one of the waitresses for years.
We had to take 3 years of PE in college. I usually took two classes each semester, bowling being one of them for all four years. It was more like a bowling league. The teacher would show up the first day and appoint a ‘league secretary’ who just took role, and then he left. One year I had to teach a fellow from Botswana, maybe a generation or two from the bush. That was fun.
What awesome grandparents you are!!!!
Real life story is heartwarming, tears and all. Generations of stories and life shared.
Rah for your grandson. There used to be college scholarships back in the old times (early ’60’s). My sister’s three boys (50, 48, 45) have all bowled 300 games. One son has bowled three 300 games all in recreational bowl. I hope your grandson can use his talent to pay for his education.
I’ll have to take a drive to Kirkland from Kent to sample your Mex restaurant since it has to be great for you to keep following them.
You are a fabulous Grandmother. I think that is the best job in the whole wide world… Being a mother was wonderful , don’t get me wrong but it had a whole host of responsibility’s. Being a Grandmother you main Responsibility is just to love them and hold them tight..
I am a long distance Grandma but that makes no difference in the LOVE we heap on them… Jan
Today is my 72nd birthday, so it was very nice to read this. It made me realize that if Colt is 11, then we first met when Jon was going through his fierce struggle. At one of your readings, we made a donation for him. Even though it didn’t help him, we know it helped someone, somewhere. God bless you, Ms. Jance, and keep being the best Grandma (but behind me – I have 17 at last count)!
My first attempt at bowling was a disaster. I had watched it on TV and thought it looked so easy. Went to a bowling alley with college classmates. I acted like I knew what I was doing, but as I swung the ball behind me I dropped it. I was not a happy camper and neither was the fellow who owned the place. I never went again.
I hope your grandson continues to enjoy bowling. It is for any age who is still physically able.
Another wonderful insight into the life of my favorite author!! (My daughter & I met you in Nashville, TN. in late 3/2016) Oh, do we have many family “things” in common. Many Happy Birthday Wishes & Blessings to Colt!!! Enjoy all these times with family, especially when you visit your fav Mexican restaurant!(Yummy) God Bless.??