Ernesto Garza, Gloria Espinoza, and Mayra Martinez with La Catedral del Marisco in Austin Texas

The name of this restaurant is one of my favorites. It's called La Catedral del Marisco Orgullo de Bejucos (The Seafood Cathedral Pride from Bejucos). I was curious about what Bejucos means. The first time I drove by the restaurant, which was around 2012, the name just stuck in my head.

So one of the first questions I asked her was about the name. Bejucos turns out to be a small, isolated town in the State of Mexico. Coincidentally, that's the hometown of owners Ernesto Garza and Gloria Espinoza. With great pride, Gloria Espinoza pointed out to a picture of a waterfall that's printed on the menu. She told me that the waterfall is called El Salto and can be seen from any part in the town of Bejucos.

Bejucos is near the border with the states of Guerrero and Michoacan, both of which face the Pacific Ocean and have rich seafood traditions. She's very happy and proud to have founded a restaurant in Austin where she can share the culinary traditions of the State of Mexico, Guerrero and Michoacan.

“Logre el sueño Americano” she told me “I achieved the American dream.” The restaurant has been at the same location in East Austin for twenty three years.

Gloria visits Bejucos as vacation destination now. In her words “No se puede uno olvidar de su pueblo” One should not forget about your hometown just because we left for the American dream.

From left to right: Ernesto Garza, Gloria Espinoza and Mayra Martinez with La Catedral del Marisco Orgullo de Bejucos in East Austin, Texas. November 10, 2014

Mary Sanchez with Paleteria Monarca in Oklahoma City

Mary Sanchez is originally from Morelia Michoacán. She has worked at Paleteria Monarca in Oklahoma City for two years. She likes to see customers return to the business and does her best to provide outstanding customer service. 

I asked her if she associates paleteria (ice cream shop) with the American dream. “To a certain extent, yes, it's a great feeling when you have your own business and you don't have people telling you what to do. If you want to see your business grow you put in your best effort to make it happen. It's a lot of work, you invest a lot of your time but little but little you get used to it.”

Mary Sanchez with Paleteria Monarca in Oklahoma City, OK. November 9, 2014

Guadalupe Antonio and Ramiro Vasquez with La Oaxaqueña Bakery in Oklahoma City

Ramiro and Guadalupe are a couple and they run La Oaxaqueña Bakery in Oklahoma City. Ramiro is originally from a small town called San Pablo Huixtepec. Guadalupe is originally from a small town called Ciénega de Zimatlán. Both towns are located in the state of Oaxaca. They've been living in Oklahoma for almost sixteen years.

I asked Guadalupe if the she sees the bakery as the manifestation of the American dream. “Yes” she replied. Her husband told me that even though things look good right now, the start was a struggle. “This is our fifteenth year, when we started, our daily sales were about ten dollars. It was a long process but worth it in the end. We're now seeing the fruits of our labor.”

The concept of the restaurant is to bring a little piece of Southern Mexico to Oklahoma City, specially from the state of Oaxaca. He told me that this area of the United States had very few to no individuals from Oaxaca. “People oftentimes feel nostalgic when they visit us, every year we have pan de muerto, rosca de reyes, chocolate, and churros”

Guadalupe Antonio and Ramiro Vasquez with La Oaxaqueña Bakery in Oklahoma City, OK. November 9, 2014

Guadalupe Antonio and Ramiro Vasquez with La Oaxaqueña Bakery in Oklahoma City, OK. November 9, 2014

Ricardo Godinez and his brother Miguel Godinez with Cocina Don Miguel in Norman Oklahoma

Cocina Don Miguel is a small family restaurant in Norman Oklahoma. It's run by three brothers who are cooks. The two brothers that were available for photos the day I visited are: Ricardo Godinez and Miguel Godinez. Both are from Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato. Ricardo moved to Oklahoma when he was fourteen years old. Miguel has about twenty six years living in Oklahoma.

The restaurant is fairly new, it opened around October ninth of twenty fourteen. In fact, I saw an unfinished painting of a Dolores Hidalgo cathedral pending completion.

I asked Ricardo if Cocina Don Miguel represents the American dream for him. He replied “yes, the American dream is about improving your economic outlook, help people, and create jobs. It's not all about ourselves is also about helping others.”

Ricardo Godinez and his brother Miguel Godinez with Cocina Don Miguel in Norman, Oklahoma. November 9, 2014

Ricardo Godinez with Cocina Don Miguel in Norman, Oklahoma. November 9, 2014

Juan Carlos Flores with Taqueria Saltillo in Arlington Texas

Juan Flores with Taqueria Saltillo in Arlington Texas recommended that I visit his son Juan Carlos Flores at the family's original taqueria.

Juan Carlos Flores is twenty four years old and is originally from Saltillo, Coahuila. His parents moved to Arlington when Juan Carlos was seven years old. While attending high school, Juan Carlos worked in the fast food restaurant industry and discovered that he wanted to open a restaurant of his own. At the time of our interview Taqueria Saltillo was about to turn four years old. 

He's very enthusiastic about promoting his taqueria through radio and television spots. But that's not all, the family has big plans. He mentioned that they're looking to sign an agreement with the Texas Rangers to sell tacos at their stadium. “Mexican food has crossed many borders” he mentioned “I believe that Mexican food is part of the culture of the United States.”

I asked him if Taqueria Saltillo represents the American dream to him. “Yes” he said “Logically, if you come to this country is because you have a dream, it does not necessarily have to be a business, it can be something else. In our case it happened to be a restaurant.”

Juan Carlos told me that people have asked him about how much money his family used to start the business. He says that money hasn't been an obstacle for them. “El poder es el querer” “Willing to do something is power, but first you need to find out what it is that you want to do and then put that money to work.”    

Juan Carlos Flores with Taqueria Saltillo in Arlington, Texas. November 19, 2014

Juan Flores with Taqueria Saltillo in Arlington Texas

Juan Flores who is originally from Saltillo Coahuila is the owner of Taqueria Saltillo in Arlington, Texas. The restaurant has two locations in Arlington and was about to mark its fourth anniversary the day I visited.

When I entered the business for the first time, I was impressed by a huge poster of the Virgin of Guadalupe and its accompanying altar located near the main entrance. I asked him about it. “Es la mera mera de Mexico, la madre de nosotros y pues es la que nos cuida siempre” he replied. “She's main one in Mexico, she's our mother and watches after us.” “We make sure we celebrate her special day [December twelve] here every year”

I asked him if Taqueria Saltillo represents the American dream to him. “Yes” he said “we have the opportunity here and we have to work hard for it” The business was started in Arlington. Mr. Flores' sons worked in a taqueria as a teenager and discovered that he wanted to open one. So the family got involved and opened the their first location inside a convenient store. Eventually this second location was opened as a full restaurant.

Juan Flores with Taqueria Saltillo in Arlington, Texas. November 8, 2014

Elizabeth Galaviz with Casa Galaviz Mexican Food in Denton Texas

Casa Galaviz is a family restaurant in Denton Texas. I met the owner Jose Galaviz, who was kind to introduce me to his family who works at the restaurant. It was a busy Saturday morning and everybody was preparing or serving breakfast. Jose's wife, Elizabeth Galaviz is originally from Piedras Negras, Coahuila. Her daughter, Jessica Mendez is from Denton, Texas.

Elizabeth moved from Mexico to North Texas when she was eighteen. She's proud of working with her family at Casa Galaviz and happy to serve a multicultural clientele. She says that Cuban and Chinese customers visit the restaurant.

I asked her if she thinks of about Casa Galaviz in terms of the American dream. “Yes” she replied, “it's a great feeling of pride.”

The restaurant has 27 years of operating in the same location in Denton.

Elizabeth Galaviz with Casa Galaviz Mexican Food in Denton, Texas. November 8, 2014

Olivia Medina with Villanueva Restaurant in Waco Texas

Driving on South eighteenth street in Waco Texas, I found Villanueva Mexican Restaurant. The owner is Olivia Medina, she is originally from Zacatecas, Zacatecas and has lived twenty years in Waco. Before founding Villanueva Mexican Restaurant, she worked for eleven years at a restaurant that was not her own.

She's very proud of having opened up her own business. However she's not sure about associating her restaurant with the American dream. “A lo mejor si” “Maybe” she said “I still have a long way to go” The restaurant was about to turn three years old at the time of our interview.

Olivia Medina with Villanueva Restaurant in Waco, Texas. November 7, 2014

Olivia Media with Villanueva Restaurant in Waco, Texas. November 7, 2014

Juan Baraja with El Charro Tapatio Comida Estilo Jalisco number 7 in Waco Texas

Driving on N 17th Street in Waco Texas, I came across a Mexican restaurant called El Charro Tapatio number 7. I met the owner whose name is Juan Baraja. He's originally from Jesús María, Jalisco.

Inside, the restaurant features huge posters of charros (Mexican cowboys) including the well-known Vicente "Chente" Fernández who is from Guadalajara, Jalisco. Fernández is an icon of Mexican culture and is associated with the state of Jalisco.

Juan Baraja owner of El Charro Tapatio number seven in Waco, Texas. November 7, 2014

Saul Hernandez from Guadalajara, Jalisco works at El Charro Tapatio number seven in Waco, Texas. November 7, 2014

Juan Baraja with El Charro Tapatio number seven in Waco, Texas. November 7, 2014

Cristina Hernandez with Rene's Restaurant and Bakery in Waco Texas

Cristina Hernandez is originally from Torreón Coahuila. There is a photo of El Cerro de la Silla, which is a well known hill in Monterrey Nuevo León, displayed near the entrance. El Cerro de la Silla is also included in the hand lettered sign that announces the business. Cristina's husband is from Monterrey. They decided to include it at the restaurant as a way of remembering his hometown.

I asked her about how Rene's Restaurant and Bakery was founded and told me that it was bumpy road. She had associated with other friends in order to start it. However, the association did not work out. She ended up taking over the business and suggested that it was difficult. She said: “Luchando, luchando, hechandole ganas a eso venimos a este pais (struggling, struggling, keeping your hopes up, that's what we do in this country)” 

I asked her if she thinks of the Rene's Restaurant as the manifestation of the American dream. “Yes” she replied, “when you have the passion to get ahead in life you can make the American dream possible.”

Cristina Hernandez with Rene's Restaurant and Bakery in Waco, Texas. November 7, 2014

Diana Belmares serves food and takes care of customers at Rene's Restaurant and Bakery in Waco, Texas. November 7, 2014

Yolanda Guerrero with Tacos Guerrero in East Austin Texas

Yolanda Guerrero owns a taco stand called Tacos Guerrero near a busy intersection in East Austin, Texas. The stand attracts a diverse audience not just people of Mexican descent. The day I visited, I recall Mexican Americans and anglos buying lunch.

Yolanda is originally from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. She says that owning a taco stand and serving people makes her feel confident and happy. “I cook every day, it's important to do that, I don't freeze the meat” she says “I make the tortillas too.”

When she envisioned coming to the United States, she thought of doing something productive. “Si tienes que venir a trabajar, tienes que hecharle ganas (if you're coming to work you have to be persistent” Tacos Guerrero represents the American dream for Yolanda.

“If God helps me, I plan to open another business” she said.

Yolanda Guerrero with Tacos Guerrero in East Austin, Texas. November 6, 2014

David and Felicitas with El Super Taco in East Austin Texas

David and Felicitas are originally from Mexico City and run El Super Taco in East Austin. David worked at a restaurant before starting El Super Taco. “The difference between having your own business and working for some one is that, no one tells you what to do” he said “you put more effort it to it”

David and Felicitas with El Super Taco in East Austin. November 6, 2014

Felipe de Jesus Galván with Galván Produce in Austin Texas

Driving in East Austin, on the side of Pleasant Valley Road, I stumbled upon a fruteria (fruit stand). The owner, Felipe de Jesus Galván is originally from Monclova Coahuila.

I asked him what the fruit stand means to him. Does it have to do the with American dream? Or is it just another job? “It has to do with the American dream” he said. A person who was visiting the stand and listening to our conversation uttered the words “se aburre uno de jalar (one gets tired of working)” referring to the fact that after years of working for a boss, some people decide to start their own businesses.

According to Mr. Galván, a family business is a test to see if God chooses prosperity for the owner. “It's the American dream and we're trying to see what God can provide us” he said.

Felipe de Jesus Galván with Galván Produce in Austin, Texas. November 6, 2014

Taqueria Restaurant Chapala Jalisco Style in Austin Texas

I met a group of charismatic waitresses at Taqueria Restaurant Chapala Estilo Jalisco in Austin, Texas. Most of them have been working together for roughly thirteen years. Most of them agree that the American dream means the opportunity to work and therefore do better in life. “In Mexico, money would be scarce” said Antonia Gutierrez, who is originally from Mexico City.

The owner of the restaurant is Manuel Lopez who is originally from Jesús María in the state of Jalisco. Taqueria Chapala has three locations in Austin, Texas. I photographed location number one on Cesar Chavez Blvd in East Austin.

Manuel Lopez originally from Jesús María in the state of Jalisco. He's the owner of Taqueria Restaurant Chapala in Austin, Texas. November 6, 2014

From left to right: Zoila Adame, Lylia Jimenez, Antonia Gutierrez, and Edelia Aguirre. Taqueria Restaurant Chalapa in Austin, Texas. November 6, 2014

Teresa Moreno with Teresita's Mexican Restaurant in San Antonio Texas

Teresa Moreno is originally from Leoncito Villa Hidalgo located in the state of San Luis Potosí. She is the owner of Teresita's Mexican Restaurant located in Northeast San Antonio. The restaurant has been open for thirteen years.

She's very proud and happy of owning her own business. “It took a lot of sacrifice to start it” she said “and to this date it's sometimes difficult, but thank God, it's going.”

Teresa Moreno with Teresita's Mexican Restaurant in Northeast San Antonio, Texas. November 6, 2014

From left to right: Mirna Rivas, Teresa Moreno, Cristina Amaya with Teresita's Mexican Restaurant in Northeast San Antonio, Texas. November 5, 2014 

Fructuoso Reyna with Tortilleria los Reyna in San Antonio Texas

Fructuoso is from Guadalcázar, San Luis Potosí. He's the owner of Tortilleria los Reyna in South San Antonio. After ten years of working for someone else, he and his family made the decision to open a business of their own. “All your effort would stay at your previous job” he said. “If you put a lot of effort in working for someone else's company, you might as well put the same effort on something of your own”

I asked him if he sees Tortilleria Los Reyna as the manifestation of the American dream. “I think it's part of it” he replied “but I also believe that you should study a lot, prepare yourself for a career.” He believes in the importance of stressing hard work, education and family proximity to his kids as part of the American dream.

Besides selling torillas, the business offers barbacoa, tamales, chicharrón (pork rinds) and Mexican household ornaments like piggy banks.

Fructuoso Reyna with Tortilleria los Reyna in San Antonio, Texas. November 5, 2014

Fructuoso Reyna with Tortilleria los Reyna in San Antonio, Texas. November 5, 2014

Tortilleria los Reyna in San Antonio, Texas. November 5, 2014

Fructuoso Reyna making tamales at Tortilleria los Reyna in San Antonio, Texas. November 5, 2014

Juan Uribe with Fruteria San Sebastian in San Antonio Texas

Juan Uribe is originally from San Sebastian, which is located in the state of Hidalgo. Juan has been selling fruits for twenty five years. He runs a mobile fruteria (fruit stand) and takes to various spots in South San Antonio including a flea market.

I asked him how it feels to own a business. “For several years I worked for companies and I never had anything, now thanks to this I've bought my own home and I'm able to help my family.” “Is it like the American dream?” I asked him, “yes” he replied.

Juan Uribe with Fruteria (fuit stand) San Sebastian in San Antonio, Texas. November 4, 2014

Blasa Reyna and Misael Sierra with Herradero Mexican Restaurant in San Antonio Texas

Blasa and her husband Misael were born in San Luis Potosi. Blasa moved to the United States when she was nine years old and graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a bachelors in business administration. Blasa's mom had a restaurant in San Luis Potosi so she grew up in the tradition of the family restaurant.

For Blasa the American dream means the ability to work, do something with your life and provide employment for other people. “The American dream still exists nowadays but plenty of hard work is necessary” she says. “I am living the American dream, we came from Mexico and for our parents it was very important to have access to education, they brought us here in search of that.” She also mentions that the American dream has to do with leaving a better life to your kids than what your parents were able to provide you.

She is proud of offering jobs to younger generations in South San Antonio, the neighborhood where she grew up.

Blasa Reyna with her husband Misael Sierra at Herradero Mexican Restaurant in South San Antonio, Texas. November 4, 2014

Blasa Reyna with her husband Misael Sierra at Herradero Mexican Restaurant in South San Antonio, Texas. November 4, 2014

Bertha Rocha waitress at Jomaremi Restaurant in San Antonio Texas

Bertha Rocha is a native of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon and has been in the restaurant sector for roughly eight years. Before that she worked as a housekeeper but didn't like it. For her the idea of the American dream is represents struggle. “I've done a little bit better here in the United States than in Mexico [financially]” she told me. For her the American dream is not as promising as some people in Mexico claim it is. “One suffers a lot here too, for example I still haven't been able to buy a car.” The bottom line of her story is: The American dream is rough for some. However, Bertha laughs about it and suggests that she's going to keep trying.

Bertha Rocha serves food at Jomaremi Restaurant in San Antonio, TX. November 4, 2014

Bertha Rocha serves food at Jomaremi Restaurant in San Antonio, TX. November 4, 2014

Evelia Martinez and Marcos Loyola with Jomaremi Mexican Restaurant in San Antonio Texas

"United States is the country of opportunities" Evelia Martinez, owner of Jomaremi Mexican Restaurant told me. But it is up to each Mexican immigrant to find opportunities she advised. In the eyes of Evelia, most hardworking Mexicans come to the United States with the idea of finding work as opposed to starting a business. She believes that being creative in the United States is the way to a better life and not hard work alone.

Jomaremi Mexican Restaurant is named after Evelia's daughters and one son. Jocelyn, Mario and Emily. As a parent, the American dream for her means offering her kids a better future. She wants her kids to go to school and find successful careers. Evelia is from Fosas de Santa Ana, San Luis Potosi and her husband, Marcos Loyola is from Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato. 

From left to right: Marcos Loyola and Evelia Martinez owners of Jomaremi Mexican Restaurant in San Antonio, Texas. November 4, 2014

Evelia Martinez with her daughter Jocelyn Martinez (right) outside of Jomaremi Mexican Restaurant in San Antonio, Texas. Evelia named the restaurant after the initial syllables of her three kids. November 5, 2014.  

Evelia Martinez (left) with her husband Marcos Loyola, founders of Jomaremi Mexican Restaurant in Southside San Antonio, Texas. November 5, 2014.