Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriella Suarez.
Hi Gabriella, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Cooking has always been my passion since I was a kid. I remember telling my dad at 5, I wanted to be a chef when I grew up. After working at restaurants in New York and Miami, I finally felt I had the itch to start my own business.
During the pandemic, I started selling tacos in my backyard under my tiki every Taco Tuesday. It became a success and customers loved the food. Every Tuesday I saw the same faces and new ones coming up to my backyard to either take home tacos or sit and enjoy the food with music and drinks. It was a great feeling knowing that I was able to create an ambiance in a small backyard where people could mingle, relax, and eat great food. A few months later, I realized I could take this concept and make it even bigger.
I wanted to introduce more people to my craft so they can enjoy it as well. This is when food pop-ups became more known. I started to go out to the breweries to try different pop-up foods and began to network with others in the industry. I learned from them and worked alongside them. I finally had the chance to be a part of the brewery community and began to sell tacos on any day of the week in different locations. It was amazing, to say the least. The team I had, believed in me and they believed in my vision.
I thank them still to this day because they helped me grow as an individual. I then started to do events where I had to serve more people, such as music festivals, markets, and catering private parties. I have always loved to cook and I have always known inside me that I can run my own business.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There is no doubt that this whole journey has had plenty of ups and downs. It’s never easy. It’s scary to leave your everyday job to start up something new. But it is very fulfilling to know it is achievable. To know that if you believe in yourself, anything is possible. A huge thank you to my right hand and partner in crime; Chris Zamora. His support, hard work and brains has managed to keep us leveling up in every way possible.
We now have our spot located inside the market every Saturday and Sunday. It was rated the #1 market in the United States last year, and many other times prior. The whole team that runs the market is so supportive and wants you to succeed. The support of my family and friends has made it easy for me to know I can make this a huge success. There have been times when I had to stop and restart. Where I had doubts, but I never gave up and I never stopped believing in my vision.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the Chef and owner of Los dos amigos Tacos. I specialize in Birria Tacos, which is our most popular dish. For those who do not know, it is a Mexican dish from Jalisco, Mexico. Birria is a Braised meat; such as goat, lamb, or beef. We use Chuck roast Beef.
It’s filled with melted mozzarella cheese, onions, and cilantro. It has a kick of spice due to the Mexican chiles and the delicious warmth of the Consommé on the side (stew or soup); there you have a delicious Birria Taco. I like to keep the main Mexican ingredients in all my tacos and still give them a twist of Latin American flavors, even a little Asian sensation. I love making sure everything is fresh and house-made. From the pickled onions to the guacamole to the salsas.
I’m proud of myself. I’m proud that I never give up and I keep pushing towards what I want.. that I’m showing the world what I’m capable of. Even when things have to change or restart. As my dad always taught me; Never stop.
My food is made with passion, it makes a difference. It’s what I love.
Now it’s tacos, but in the future, it’ll be more delicious comfort food that I’ll be able to show the world!
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I have learned way more than I would have thought. Stepping out of your comfort zone and putting yourself out there. Don’t be scared and don’t be shy. Because if you fall, you can always get back up on your feet.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @los_dos_amigoss
Image Credits
Luccia Lowenthal @lucciaphotos
