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

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