Siblings Sofia and Miguel Santoyo with Mariana's Taco Shop in Frisco, Texas

I'd like to thank my friend Tana York for introducing me to this restaurant in downtown Frisco, Texas. I passed many times through downtown Frisco without realizing that this neat place existed! Thanks Tana.

Mariana's Taco Shop is sort of a Mexican food enclave in downtown Frisco. The great majority of the restaurants nearby serve food other than Mexican. Moreover, the neighborhood does not appear to be an area that is predominantly Mexican, Mexican American or hispanic. The few indications of Mexican presence in include a money order business and a gas station where construction workers gather.

The restaurant is run by two siblings, Sofia and Miguel Santoyo. Sofia takes care of customers and Miguel prepares the food. Sofia was born in the tierra caliente region of the state of Michoacan and Miguel was born in Mexico City. Both spent considerable time near San Diego, California and developed a menu inspired by Mexican traditions of that area. “The main concept is to serve authentic Mexican food with a California style” Sofia told me. I asked her what makes the food “California style” and replied that it has to do with the preparation of the carne asada (fried beef) and the salsas. “We marinate our beef differently from the Tex-Mex style and use different cuts of meet from the traditional Texas fajitas (skirt steaks).” 

I asked her about the American Dream. What does it mean to her?  “It's about getting ahead and pursuing your dreams” she replied. Perseverance is key to success according to her. She sees Mariana's Taco Shop as the embodiment of such ideal. “The restaurant is for us a doorway to growth and improvement. It's a way of making a living without depending on an employer, it's a way of generating employment for people.”

Sonia is ambitious and sees the American Dream as the opportunity to grow a business to the best of your ability. Her description of her goals remind me of those of other Mexican restaurant owners I've photographed for this project. They're enthusiastic about expanding their businesses.

Siblings Sofia and Miguel Santoyo with Mariana's Taco Shop in Frisco, Texas. July 3, 2015