We have not ignored the comments that we have seen posted on the Inside of Knoxville

article, nor other social media outlets. We simply cannot respond to every comment and
furthermore have no intention of engaging in any type of back and forth online or other
social media melee.

The name Cholo was actually originally suggested to us by friends of Hispanic origin
and we fully vetted the name with several Hispanic friends who took no issue at all with
the name. They found it perfect for the type of taqueria we were opening and to match
the dcor and artwork, all of which was called Cholo art. We learned this culture from
the long time friends, co-workers and employees we have grown up with. We have
grown to love the rich history and culture from the many holidays, weddings, family
functions and Sunday dinners we have shared with them. We have learned about
various foods and cooking methods from growing up with these friends. This is the
reason we chose this cuisine.

We loved the name from the get go because in the restaurant industry in which we grew
up, cholos or vato locos were hardcore/badass line cooks who embraced the fringe
lifestyle associated with the industry. These were purists who did not compromise, nor
worry with the concerns of others questioning their seemingly strange antics. Anthony
Bourdain said he would rather have a kitchen of cholos than Culinary Institute of
America graduates, and we completely agree. We understand that this culture doesnt
represent the Hispanic population as a whole. Furthermore there are businesses,
restaurants, songs, art, and various other medias that reference the term cholo, all of
which are owned by people of diverse and various ethnicities.

We are of the firm belief that words are neutral and people give them intent. We have
done our due diligence in referencing that term and mean no ill toward any ethnicity of
people or for it to be disparaging at all. Quite the contrary, we view the term as being
positive and chose it just for that. We intend on being the most hardcore and authentic
restaurant in Knoxville. As for the cultural appropriation component, it is 2016 and
nearly everything is appropriated from another culture, especially in America. The use of
the term is quite different in modern American usage than its origination in other
Hispanic speaking cultures, and since we are in American, that is the prevailing
definition. We are appropriating a lot of food items from other culture, and hopefully
paying them homage by keeping the techniques and cooking methods as authentic as
possible. With three of the partners being sons of Greek immigrants, this whole
nonsense has reminded us of the term gypsy, which in Greece is a derogatory term for
half-breed, impure ancestry. Here in the States, it is regarding as an endearing term for
being a free spirit, used across multiple ethnicities.

We understand the hyper-sensitivity around racial issues in America right now, and
understandably so. Noting this, however, we also note that the offended by everything
culture in America is regressive, selective, hypocritical, and damaging to people who
are out there trying to create things, while critics only want to destroy. The political
correctness movement run amok is not going to usurp what we believe and what people
who are associated with us know. We do not want to isolate anyone or disparage any
group, and hope that never happens. Also, we truly mean no ill intent with the term

Cholo itself, hopefully this has given everyone some context around why we chose the
name we did.