Today we’d like to introduce you to Alondra Ambriz.
Hi Alondra, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My mother worked at Long Prairie Packing Co. for almost 25 years. My mom, Monica, was that typical Mexican mom who always had to feed people to feel better or spoil them with her delicious food. The company told her to leave her job and cook for them while they were working. They had to replace someone else to do her job so she could cook something for them. Everyone told her she needed her restaurant. Mom dreamt one day she would. COVID hit. My grandparents needed home care. My mom quit her job, stayed home, and cared for my grandparents. One day, my mom got a call to make 75 burritos to the packing for the meeting. She asked if I could help her. Well, let me tell you, once we did it together, she saw that she could do this and that she wanted to start a business with a restaurant. I told her that COVID was hard on restaurants then and that having a truck would be cool! It was a perfect idea because it could be when she could, and little by little, people would know about her. I always loved my mom’s food; I told her I would be there for her if she wanted to do it. I tried to help her, and by the time we started, we first did curbside, and we let people know by our personal Facebook, and then people asked us when we would sell more. So we started going to the farmers’ market with crockpots, grills, and coolers to keep our cold ingredients; since we saw the line and the comments on our food, we knew we had enough to get our food truck. My mom’s eyes couldn’t believe how many people from everywhere in Minnesota came to try her food. She finally believed that her food was good. When we started, I had one son, my parents had two girls, and Dad always wanted a boy, but instead, he got a grandson. Trust me, as a grandpa, he loved that boy; he asked Max (my son) what color he would want the food truck to be. At that time, my son was obsessed with longhorn bulls. That was our logo, and my mom’s maiden name was “Bravo.” Taqueria- means Mexican food with tacos and burritos. So that’s how we came up with TAQUERIA BRAVO. Soon, si dios quiere Seramos el sueño de mi mama. “I will be in my mom’s dream with God’s permission.”
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As in any food business, the beginning is always a struggle. To have the equipment and haul everything was crazy. We had to haul five folded tables, four big crockpots, our flat grill, etc. Then, once we had our food trailer, we thought no problem; we have everything we need here. Our trailer was customized, but the team that worked on it finished it as we thought they did. The wires were all wrong, and the licensing wasn’t too happy about it because it wasn’t safe. We had to stop during a big fair, but once all was fixed, we kept going. We are still doing a few things the trailer company needs to finish.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are authentic Mexican food, and we make everything with love. We love chatting with customers and love having them come again. We are a family and love to share our compassion and taste with others.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
First, always contact the health licensing in your county to help you. They help you out so much and show you where to start. They guide you in the right direction. Secondly, don’t give up; there will always be some struggle your way. But don’t let it define yourself or your work ethic.
Pricing:
- Massive Burritos $14
- Original Burritos & Quesadillas $12each
- Quesabirrias $16.50
- StreetTacos $3.50
- Nachos and Tortas $14 each
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taqueria_bravo/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Taqueria-Bravo-100065400762759/
