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