Meet Luisa Arriaga | Miga Owner & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luisa Arriaga and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luisa, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
My roots are mexican and it has everything to do with who I am. When I was a child, every year my parents let me spend a few weeks with my father’s family. My grandmother María Luisa had a pastry shop in Sonoyta Sonora (the only one in town at that time), she taught me the wonderful pastry process, but my favorite thing was when she gave me a cake and let me decorate it, then my grandma put in the front display fridge to show it. That made me believe in myself.

On my mother’s side, my grandmother Rosario aka “Chayo”, was also such an inspiration for me. My Grandma had a unique way to cook, and all her dishes was so special and the best food I’ve ever tasted. I still remember the smell of her kitchen.

Thanks to my grandmas I dreamed of doing something creative from a kitchen, something that belonged and represented me. Basically what a chef does, but back then in my culture was considered an expensive hobby, instead of lucrative career.

That dream was put on hold, and I focused on something else. I had a stable job in the healthcare sector with a fixed salary, legal benefits, etc., and I loved what I did since I helped many people to recover from illnesses; but in the last year (2022), I began to feel burnout after the pandemic. A few months later, I decided to quit and put that dream I had left behind in motion. That is where Miga was born.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe that creativity is in our nature and we all have a talent that makes us happy, I have the privilege of turning my hobby into my job.

My goal and dream, is to have my shop which includes worldwide coffee, flowers, fruits, vegetables, spices, wine, cheeses. A space where you can relax, sit down to drink and eat something delicious.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
San Diego have a such of good places, delicious food and drinks but there’s no place like Mexico. I live in Tijuana and here we have locally and worldwide gastronomic tourism.

One of the best places to buy fresh ingredients is the “Mercado Hidalgo”, and inside that place you can find an authentic Oaxaca restaurant “La Oaxaqueña”. Every dish is delicious.

La Carmelita (ig: @lacarmelitatj) from chef and owner José Figueroa.

Aruba aka “Arubaby” (ig: @arubadaydrinkbar) ranked № 40 of the top @50bestbars 2023 in North America. Their Menu is on another level.

Insurgente Brew (ig: @insurgentebrew) iconic tap room in Tijuana. Good vibes.

Casa Prado (ig: @casapradotijuana) perfect for hang out, enjoy good food, have a beer or a glass of wine.

Magul (ig:@magulmx) great place for brunch and really good coffee.

Tacos el papi, located in Calz Tecnológico 703, Otay Jardín, 22427, I dare to say these are the best adobada tacos in Tijuana.

Tropic’s bar, located in Flores Magón 8259 Zona Centro. The most iconic in Tijuana. This is the right place to go.

Latinos Bar (ig: @latinosbar.mx) I have two words DRAG SHOW. The best in Tijuana.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First of all to my family and friends who support me every day. My two grandmothers Chayo and María Luisa because they taught me the passion behind cooking.

I want to shout out to the work team behind Miga: Karla, Vanessa, and Alan. They are the ones who land all the ideas arising from my needs and business vision.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/migaenlamesa?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Migaenlamesa?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: Gmail: migaenlamesa@gmail.com TikTok: @migaenlamesa

Image Credits
Alan Visualproyectstj@gmail.com