Meet Mariano Guadarrama | Entrepreneur/ Chef

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

Hi Mariano, every day, we know how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I’ve always loved being in the kitchen. I spent about 18 years working in different restaurants, so food has always been a big part of my life. Before I started Taquizas Guadarrama, I actually tried a couple of other businesses first in ironwork, but that didn’t really take off. Then I gave landscaping a shot, but I quickly realized it just wasn’t for me.
In 2010, my wife lost her job when the company she worked for shut down. That really pushed me to find something better for both of us. I’ve always wanted to be my own boss, and I kept thinking back to when my parents used to sell tacos in Mexico. That experience stuck with me. I’ve always had a passion for cooking, so I decided to start Taquizas Guadarrama. It’s been growing ever since, and I truly love what I do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What really sets Taquizas Guadarrama apart from other taco businesses is that we truly cook with love. Nothing is rushed , we take our time with everything we make. Our ingredients are always fresh and locally sourced including our handpicked chiles for our salsas that I grow in my own garden. We also bring a little piece of our Mexican culture to every event, not just through the food but through the decorations and overall vibe. I’m especially proud of how much our clientele has grown over the years. It means a lot when new customers tell us they were referred by someone else, or when people compliment how beautiful our setup is and how much they enjoyed the food.

Getting to this point definitely hasn’t been easy. Nothing in life comes without hard work. There have been plenty of long days. Sometimes 16 hours straight and we’ve had to miss out on a lot of family events because our busiest days are usually weekends. But I believe that behind every success, there’s a struggle. We’ve learned to find balance between work and family by accepting help when we need it and making time where we can.

Something I’d love people to know about Taquizas Guadarrama is that we treat every client like family. We’ve been lucky to have so many people come back to us year after year, and they continue to recommend us because they truly enjoy what we offer. That means everything to us.

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 has tons of beautiful places to check out, but it also has some cool hidden spots that not everyone knows about. First place I’d take my best friend would be Barrio Logan specifically Chicano Park. It’s a great place to show off a bit of our culture and community. The murals are amazing and each one tells a different story.

After that, we’d head over to Old Town to visit the many local shops and historical museums that they have to offer. We can’t forget to stop by for some warm handmade tortillas from Old Town Mexican Café or Café Coyote both hit the spot every time. Then we’d relax at Mission Beach and enjoy the sunshine, and have some good food with an ocean view.

To wrap it up, I’d take him for a drive over the Coronado Bridge, it’s got such an amazing view at night especially with the Downtown lights in the distance. You also cant forget the beautiful Coronado Hotel definitely a must see!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely have to give a big shoutout to my wife she’s been an important part of this business. She’s always had my back and supported me, especially during the tough days when we would book multiple events in a single day. She was right there with me through the early mornings and late nights helping prep, cook, clean you name it. On top of all that, she still managed to keep the house running and be a mother to our four kids. I couldn’t have done it without her, and of course I can’t forget my family and friends who have supported me throughout this journey and that continue too.

Website: https://www.taquizasguadarrama.net/

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