The bar-restaurant Los Pinos at the roundabout of the University Hospital, famous for its roasted chickens, already has its favorite customer. It’s not the typical loyal neighbor who leaves good tips, nor one of the many healthcare workers addicted to pata sandwiches. It’s a tender love story.
The favorite customer of Los Pinos is a sparrow. Named Pinolere, he doesn’t pay —which doesn’t matter to the staff at all—, he loves lemon cake and roams the place as if he were part of the family.
Love for the Sparrow
They have grown so fond of the bird that he now has his own spot on the bar: a swing, a tray with his portion of cake, a sign attached to a bouquet of flowers saying “Welcome Pinolere” and a metal bird decoration to make the sparrow feel at home.
Pinolere, in his corner at the bar-restaurant Los Pinos in La Cuesta, La Laguna. / Andrés Gutiérrez
Vanessa Díaz, one of the managers at Los Pinos, is among those who dedicate significant effort to pampering Pinolere since he started visiting the bar-restaurant a month ago. “He first began coming to the terrace tables. Several customers started feeding him crumbs of bread and cake, so he kept returning. Until one day, he dared to enter, and we gave him more lemon cake when we realized he loved it. And now he comes in with full confidence and spends all day going back and forth,” Vanessa narrates.
Pinolere is ‘a glutton’, she laughs. And whenever he’s not fluttering around, he comes, grabs his portion, and leaves, only to come back quickly. They’ve already discovered why. A few days ago, they saw him near the bar feeding his chick. And last Thursday the latest event occurred that moved Los Pinos: he came in with another adult sparrow and the chick.
Bar Star
Pinolere has become Los Pinos’ main attraction, showcased even on their social media. Among dishes and desserts, the bird appears in several posts, like the one from last May 18, stating: “My father always told me that anyone with a customer has a treasure, but this one is very picky. Neither chocolate, nor Oreo, not even carrot: we have a star customer who makes us smile every day with his visit, although he’s picky about the cake flavor, preferring lemon, his favorite.”
The comment continues, always in a humorous tone: “He’s very smart and his loyalty is admirable since he comes in the morning shift and returns in the afternoon shift. We appreciate his trust in us and strive to keep him satisfied. Thank you for brightening our days. It’s a pleasure to receive your visit daily, Pinolere.”
No Complaints
Vanessa and the rest of the staff are thankful that ‘Pinolere hasn’t complained about the service so far’. He certainly has no reason to protest. And if not, ask Dimas Muñoz, one of the bar’s staff members.
Vanessa Díaz, one of the managers at bar-restaurant Los Pinos, setting lemon cake for Pinolere. / Andrés Gutiérrez
Even though it was a day off and the place was closed, Dimas, concerned about the sparrow, went to the bar last Monday specifically to open it and allow him to take his portion. “He was waiting outside. The truth is, an incredible relationship has developed with the sparrow. As soon as I opened the door, he came in,” Dimas says.
Among plates of chickpeas, garlic chicken, all kinds of sandwiches, and servings of omelets and croquettes, Jorge González, another worker at Los Pinos, admits they are delighted with their flying visitor. “Even customers come asking about him. When he appears, which he doesn’t miss, they start taking photos and videos. He’s more famous than a Hollywood star!” he comments between orders.
Why Pinolere?
And who came up with the idea to call him Pinolere? Vanessa Díaz assures it’s related to the bar being named Los Pinos and an idea that came up on the establishment’s Facebook profile. In this virtual space, comments about Pinolere multiply. “He’s an adorable little bird,” “it’s a joy to see him treated so well,” “hope to see him when I go to eat those tender chickens and cuttlefish…”
The sparrow Pinolere, in the corner they’ve set up for him in the bar-restaurant Los Pinos, La Laguna. / Andrés Gutiérrez
With 70 years of history, Los Pinos is the typical bar-restaurant with a large dining room where you can eat anything, always homemade. That’s why they’ve been a gastronomic reference on the main road of La Cuesta for so many years.
They’ve never had this kind of special relationship with an animal before. Pinolere didn’t know how good the food is at Los Pinos. But once he discovered the lemon cake, nothing can move him from Los Pinos.
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