Juan Garcia received a job within the kitchen at Taqueria Ramiro & Sons when he was 15. Now, 34 years later, his working life has come full circle as he takes the reins of the Alameda taqueria alongside his spouse, Rosie. Freshly renamed Taqueria Mi Burrito, the Garcias’ restaurant soft-opened on March 18.
Although she mentioned her husband is aware of the storied taqueria just like the again of his hand, the restaurant enterprise is brand-new to Rosie, who works by day because the well being workplace assistant at Maya Lin College in Alameda.
“I’m studying every thing as I am going,” she mentioned.
Rosie instructed The Normal that the taqueria’s earlier proprietor, Kim Hernandez, determined to retire final 12 months and provided the enterprise to Juan—her longest-running worker. Hernandez’s husband Ramiro was a pioneering restaurateur who opened one of many first takeout Mexican eateries in Oakland, Discuss of the City, in 1975 and adopted up with the Alameda taqueria ten years later. When offered with the chance to name the restaurant his personal, Rosie mentioned Juan didn’t hesitate.
“And I mentioned, ‘Let’s do it. I’m behind you in no matter you need to do,’” she mentioned.
In fact, Juan, who hails from the central Mexican metropolis of Zacatecas, runs the kitchen. For years, the taqueria’s chicharrones, or fried pork rinds, have been a significant draw—prospects can order the crispy pig skins in a burrito or as a plate. Different longtime buyer favorites embrace the fully-dressed tremendous tacos and premium quesadillas, which Rosie mentioned her husband doesn’t plan to alter anytime quickly.
Just like the Hernandez household, who famously refused to implement a bank card reader even in 2020, Rosie mentioned Juan is ambivalent about modifying something moreover the restaurant title and brand. Beforehand, Taqueria Ramiro & Sons’ signage confirmed a boy driving a donkey. Rosie mentioned she opted to swap out the boy with somewhat lady adorned with flowers in her hair as an homage to artist Frida Kahlo—a key affect on Rosie’s private type.
“I nonetheless put on flowers,” she mentioned. “My mates name me Frida.”
Nonetheless, Rosie mentioned she plans to alter only a few extra issues on the Alameda establishment. The Garcias’ daughter, Luna, is a standard Mexican dancer who carried out at San Francisco Metropolis Corridor on Mexican Independence Day final 12 months. Rosie mentioned she’s hoping they’ll have the ability to host a dance efficiency for the grand opening in early April and throw different celebrations later this 12 months. The taqueria is situated on a quiet cul-de-sac—an excellent setting for a block get together.
“I’d like to do one thing for Cinco de Mayo,” she mentioned.
Taqueria Mi Burrito
📍 2321 Alameda Ave., Alameda
🔗 instagram.com/taqueria_miburrito
Sarah Holtz could be reached at [email protected]