Sometimes the most amusing part about travel is seeing how other countries perceive the rest of the world. I can recall being on the “it’s a small world” ride in Disneyland and floating through a sea of stereotypes (clogs and windmills in Holland, Mariachi bands in Mexico) waiting in anticipation to see my Australian homeland’s depiction. Apparently Disneyland thinks it’s a very small world as the Down Under sector of the display showed a lone Aboriginal boy holding a boomerang larger than his entire body, pink kangaroos and blue koalas…
In a city with just over a million people, Prague’s expat scene is a bit like the Disneyland ride, with little flickers of cultural stereotypes and perceptions that are highly entertaining to drift through.
Having visited an Irish bar, attempted to visit an Australian bar (I’ve since been told that the former owner moved back to Sydney, thus the reason for its closure) I thought I should move onto the United States.
Restaurace Jáma is just a few minutes walking distance from Wenceslas square, but is kind of tucked down a side street and is completely inconspicuous. As you enter inside you step down into a foyer, before entering the main restaurant. The little glimmers of Americanisms greet you at first sight though: a gum-ball machine, a Foosball table and framed photos of US celebs, the most patriotic being Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson naked, wrapped in the American flag (ironically she’s actually Canadian).
The décor really reflects the restaurant / diner’s early ‘90s inception, mainly through the framed posters that adorn every wall, paying homage to pop bands, Baywatch, and curvy models of the ‘90s (including a bikini ad featuring Rachel Hunter, which we all know can’t be recent since she hasn’t modeled or been relevant since Rod Stewart gave her the flick). There’s even a “best pub” award from the Prague Post readers, from 1999, hanging in the lobby. This should act as a testament to the pub’s popularity and success since our readers are clearly purveyors of good taste!
The place is kind of kitsch, but in a cool, laid back way, plus they play some good ol’ cheesy music that makes you feel like you could be in some small-town American diner.
It’s a big venue, and when I went on a Tuesday night it was pretty busy considering it was mid-week. Service is quick, there’s plenty of staff, everyone speaks English and the menu is also printed in English, which makes life easier for non-Czech speakers. They also have happy hour everyday from 4pm-6pm, which again, is a welcome gesture.
The food menu is typical American and pretty spot on with great Mexican food, a range of burgers and plenty of sides to choose from.
For the practical information I’ve no doubt overlooked visit: http://www.jamapub.cz
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