We’re looking forward to introducing you to Vanessa Medina. Check out our conversation below.
Vanessa, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Absolutely. Building Mrs. Taco has taught me that struggles are temporary and perseverance pays off. Seeing our guests enjoy what we’ve created fills me with joy, but my greatest pride is watching my daughters pursue their own dreams. If my journey has inspired them to chase their goals with resilience and integrity, then every challenge was worth it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Vanessa Medina, and I’m the proud owner of Mrs. Taco in Andover, Minnesota. We opened in January 2022 as the first restaurant in Andover to feature Guatemalan cuisine, alongside dishes from El Salvador and Mexico—with Honduras soon to follow.
We first opened as Tasty Taco, but rebranded to Mrs. Taco six months later to reflect more of my heart and identity. Beyond authentic meals, we offer handcrafted cocktails and premium tequilas and rums, creating a full dining experience. For me, Mrs. Taco isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a place to share tradition, family, and faith with the community
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My work ethic comes from my family. Growing up, I learned that success comes through hard work and integrity. Watching my parents farm in Guatemala and my relatives build businesses taught me that if they could do it, I could too.
My mother showed me that your word is your bond, and my aunt Elisa taught us about business in playful ways that stuck with me. Today, those lessons shape everything I do at Mrs. Taco. From our menu to our service, we strive to operate with honesty, authenticity, and care.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, I’ve had moments I wanted to give up. Six months after opening, when we transitioned from Tasty Taco to Mrs. Taco, it felt like everything I had worked for might collapse.
What carried me through was faith. I leaned on Jeremiah 29:11—trusting that God had a plan—and on the support of family, friends, and loyal customers who reminded me why I started. That season made me stronger and shaped Mrs. Taco into what it is today: a place built on perseverance, faith, and community.”
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
What you see at Mrs. Taco is the real me—laughing with customers, making jokes, and sharing my love for food and people. I’m joyful, creative, and passionate about connection.
Of course, I’m also human. I get tired and stressed like anyone else, but even in those moments I want every guest to feel genuine warmth. The joy you see is real, and I hope it makes people feel at home.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
If I regret anything, it’s not building real connections. Mrs. Taco has given me the gift of celebrating milestones with our guests and becoming part of their stories through food and culture.
Those relationships go far beyond serving a meal—they are the heart of why I do this. The memories we create with our community are what make Mrs. Taco meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Mrs.tacomn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrs.tacoofandover_mn?igsh=MXg4NnRsOXZpN214&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HW7mpdJm6/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: youtu.be/Q2Kl9iL5e4w?feature=shared
Image Credits
Lara photography
Joss Tm
