Mexican Restaurants and the American Dream : new mexico

Showing posts with label new mexico. Show all posts

June 1, 2014

Maria Lazcano and daughter with El Zarandeado Mexican Seafood in Albuquerque New Mexico

Maria Lazcano and daughter with El Zarandeado Mexican Seafood restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico. June 1, 2014

Cooking is an art says Maria Adela Lazcano owner of El Zarandeado Mexican Food Sinaloa Style located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It took her 13 years to create the recipes for El Zarandeado Restaurant. Maria is originally from the state of Sinaloa, Mexico. Her recipes are inspired by the culinary traditions of Sinaloa, Nayarit and Sonora.

For example, el zarandeado is a traditional dish from Sinaloa that features the a kind of fish called Pargo. The fish is sliced in lengthwise and marinated before being baked in the oven. The result is a fish with a crunchy texture that is cooked evenly. The restaurant was named after this traditional dish that literally means “the shaked one.”

Maria is grateful to be running a family restaurant with the help of her daughters and her son. El Zarandeado has two locations in Albuquerque and her family collaborates in the operation of both. Family is very important to Maria. She told me that one of her major goals was to have her kids work alongside with her.

Although Maria is happy to live and work in the City of Albuquerque, she feels culturally connected with Mexico and wishes to open a restaurant in her home state of Sinaloa in the future. “My heart is in Mexico” she tells me “I want, god willing, I want to end up with a restaurant in Mexico.”

May 31, 2014

Jose Aldana with Aldana's Restaurant in Santa Fe New Mexico

Jose Aldana with Aldana's Restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Jose is originally from Jilotepec Estado de Mexico

I had the great honor of photographing Jose Aldana, the owner of Aldana’s Restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico on May 31, 2014. The restaurant has a family, mom and pop atmosphere and serves Mexican and New Mexican food. The most popular plate comes with a tamal, an enchilada and a sopapilla (fried pastry) covered with red or green chile sauce. The restaurant appeals to Mexicans, Mexican Americans and New Mexicans alike.

Jose is originally from a little town called Jilotepec located in Estado de Mexico, which is a state in central Mexico. As a young man he worked in the fields in Mexico. When he moved to the United States, he started washing dishes, sweeping floors and later began to prepare food. His experience in the restaurant industry let him to start Aldana’s Restaurant with the help of friends and family.

Mr. Aldana has come a long way. He said that he remembers his life in Mexico merely as his “infancia” (childhood). He has spent roughly 22 years in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His life has been mainly shaped by living and working in United States.

May 28, 2014

Alma Martinez owner of Nena's Food in Albuquerque New Mexico

Alma Martinez with Nena's Food in Albuquerque, New Mexico. May 28, 2014

Alma Martinez is from Mexico City. She learned to prepare antojitos (Mexican snack foods) from her grandmothers and her mom. Alma has continued the family tradition by establishing Nena’s Food in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is a third generation preparer and seller of antojitos such as quesadillas, and pambazos.

Alma has lived in Albuquerque for 15 years but still identifies more with the Mexican culture than with the American one. Learning English has been slow for her but that has not been a big obstacle for her business. She has family members that help her out in case translation is necessary.

Alma loves Albuquerque and is proud to have her business in the city.