Garcia’s is the dream come true for my parents, Ruben and Elena Garcia.
We grew up on a farm in the town of Degollado in Jalisco Mexico. My mother had always been know in the family for her delicious cooking (sazon). She spent many years cooking simple but delicious meals for her 14 children and hard working husband. We all remember those evenings gathered around the kitchen table. Dinners were a huge event at our humble house. Everyday feeding 14 children was a big job to take on by my strong and resilient mother.
After falling in financial distress, and coming close to loosing the farm and our home due to a recession, most of the siblings joined our 2 older brothers who already lived in the US. Our goal was to save our beloved farm and our parents home. We worked tirelessly in the restaurant industry. We were dishwashers, cooks, prep cooks, and kitchen managers. At times, we held up to 3 jobs and sometimes with no day off. My father always taught us that there was no secret to success, it was all hard work, dedication, and drive. Always putting God before anything we do.
After saving our farm and saving enough money, it was a no brainer. We had mom’s recipes and her wisdom. We had the necessary knowledge to run a business. We did lack fluency in English, but that was not a block in our road either. Mom was present throughout the planning and construction of this little restaurant in the year 2000. She spent hours sitting with us going over the many recipes in her head, and also sharing her little secrets that made a difference in flavor.
Between all of the siblings, we have opened 8 independent Mexican restaurants in Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida. We are truly passionate about what we do. And we continue to ask from our team the same values we were instilled by our parents: hard work, quality, and most of all LOVE in every dish that hits the table.
Sometimes when I step out of the kitchen to take a look at the noisy dining room full of guests eating and having a good time. It takes me back to home in my mom’s kitchen. Just like dinners at Garcia’s. Noisy, fun, and delicious aromas coming from the stove.
We all hope our parents are proud.