Bozeman's La Perla Serves Up Authentic Pozole and Trust

A columnist finds comfort and community in a bowl of hominy soup at the new La Perla restaurant.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:39pm

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A softly focused, atmospheric photograph in warm tones, capturing the inviting ambiance of a local restaurant serving homemade pozole soup.The comforting aroma and vibrant flavors of a homemade pozole soup evoke a sense of trust and community at a local Bozeman restaurant.Bozeman Today

After hearing rumors that her favorite local restaurant, La Tinga, had closed, the columnist visits the new La Perla restaurant in the same space. There, she is greeted by the owner of La Tinga, Alba Jeffries, who is filling in during a staff shortage. Alba recommends the pozole, a hominy soup, and the columnist decides to trust her recommendation, even though it's not something she normally orders. The pozole turns out to be an incredible and beautiful dish, leading the columnist to become a devoted fan of La Perla in addition to La Tinga.

Why it matters

This story highlights the importance of trust and open-mindedness when it comes to trying new foods, especially when recommended by someone with expertise. It also showcases the sense of community and comfort that can be found in a local, family-owned restaurant like La Perla, where the owners take the time to guide diners towards the best dishes.

The details

When the columnist visits La Perla, she is initially confused by the dual hours and menus, but is greeted by Alba Jeffries, the owner of La Tinga, who is filling in for the day. Alba recommends the pozole, a hominy soup, and the columnist decides to trust her recommendation, even though it's not something she normally orders. The pozole turns out to be an incredible and beautiful dish, leading the columnist to become a devoted fan of La Perla in addition to La Tinga.

  • In late March, the columnist heard rumors that La Tinga had closed.
  • On a Friday afternoon in early April, the columnist visited the La Tinga location and found it was now home to a new restaurant called La Perla.
  • The columnist's first visit to La Perla was on a Friday afternoon in early April.

The players

Alba Jeffries

The owner of the now-closed La Tinga restaurant, who was filling in at La Perla on the day the columnist visited.

La Perla

A new restaurant that has taken over the space previously occupied by La Tinga in Bozeman, Montana.

La Tinga

A local restaurant in Bozeman, Montana that the columnist was a loyal customer of, until hearing rumors that it had closed.

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What they’re saying

“Trust was on my mind as I ate the most incredible and beautiful bowl of pozole, a hominy soup with pork and vegetable.”

— Rachel Hergett, Columnist

“If someone who works in food sincerely leads you to a dish, just listen. Maybe it's not something you normally try. Maybe you usually steer clear of pork. Maybe you have an old aversion to hominy. Trust.”

— Rachel Hergett, Columnist

What’s next

The columnist plans to make a point to visit La Tinga on a Tuesday, when Alba Jeffries is open the restaurant for its loyal customers.

The takeaway

This story highlights the value of trusting the expertise and recommendations of those who work in the food industry, even when it comes to dishes that may be outside of one's normal comfort zone. It also showcases the sense of community and comfort that can be found in supporting local, family-owned restaurants like La Perla.