Loco Gringo Mexico

My guest this week is a New Yorker who makes Chicago-style pizza in Playa del Carmen. Russell Granger's story of finding himself in the Riviera Maya isn't as romantic as some of my past guests. After a long-distance attempt to run a tourist hotel and restaurant with partners didn't pan out, Russell decided to give the venture 100% of his attention and moved to Mexico.  Russell's story took a romantic turn only after he fully committed himself to Playa del Carmen. At 50, Russell quit drinking, stumbled upon a new restaurant to open, practices daily meditation, and found a great gal. When he is not taking care of business at his restaurant, Don Chendo's, he helps organize community projects and non-profits. By reaching out to the tourist and expat community, he collected 300,000 low dose aspirin for local children with heart issues using his restaurant as a donation center. Russell's advice for an authentic Mexican experience, take a minute and listen to how gentle people are when they talk to each other,