Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricky Perez and Niria Proa.
Ricky and Niria, please share your story with us.
Zipitios started back in 2015, with a party called Tacos and Hip Hop. Our friend and DJ, Selecta Steve, were coming up with different concepts for parties to do in West Palm Beach and at that time, we wanted to start a food truck but, financially we were’t ready. We started small, with just a couple of tables and a grill and a party that we had no idea what it would turn into today. The first party brought in over 1500 people, lines down the block to buy our tacos and people ready to dance in an alley. It was one of the craziest and most memorable experiences at the time. The party has been going on for 3 years now and has become a small staple in our local community. Eventually, we upgraded a bit, still not being able to afford a Taco Truck, we decided to buy a 10 x 10 tent and a new grill (no longer having to borrow mom’s grill!). Word got around, and soon we were being invited to pop up and events in our area, and even made it some events in Miami. It was our weekend hustle, and we loved it.
In the summer of 2016, we were approached with a new opportunity, to open up a brick and mortar in a restored warehouse that will become West Palm Beache’s first food hall. At the moment, we had no idea what to expect, but we took the opportunity and patiently waited (about a year and a half) for the opening. Our goal has always been to share a bit our culture and creativity through our food, with the hopes of taking some wins and giving back to our families, especially uur parents, who came to this country with nothing but a dream to give their kids a better life. We are not classically trained in a kitchen, nor did we go to culinary school, but we have worked tirelessly and passionately to make things happen and will continue to do so.
Has it been a smooth road?
The beginning felt more like an out of body experience. One day we were writing down this dream to own a food truck, the next minute we are serving hundreds of people patiently waiting to eat some tacos. I think at that point, you do everything possible to keep on going. Of course like many, we were faced with financial struggles, making sure we had friends to help us out, in the beginning, was crucial (they did it for free and out of love). Once we picked up the pace, we were finally able to pay our “employees” and it felt amazing to that. As a couple, having to work together during some stressful situations and having to put aside our personal relationship was a challenge we never thought we’d face, but eventually you learn what works best for the both of you, take on separate rolls and be patient with each other.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Zipitios story. Tell us more about the business.
The whole idea behind Zipitios was to create food influenced by our cultures, everything from Mexico, Central America, even to the music that raised us and SOCCER, yes, FÚTBOL. We knew that once we were able to establish ourselves, we wanted to take our brand beyond food. Coming from families of immigrant parents, we grew up seeing them struggle and work so hard to provide for us and like many in the same situation can relate, all you want to do is be able to pay them back. Our hope is to also help our employees, without them we wouldn’t survive, so it’s important for us to give back to them as well in their own individual ways.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
It’s important to be able to adapt to changing times and keep up with an industry that is constantly evolving and growing. As we mentioned, our tacos and pupas will always be our mainstay, but we hope to venture out and build small foundations that will benefit inner-city kids, as well as possible new food concepts. At the moment, it’s all about what is social media trendy, but we hope that people will lean into understanding the ideas behind the actual food and not just judge based off a picture. Of course, we try to make our food look good in pictures but the story behind what you eat sometimes is much more important.
Pricing:
- 3 for $10.00 Taco Specials Daily
- Pupusas! $3.75
- Yuca Brava $8.50
Contact Info:
- Address: 1401 Clare Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
- Website: https://www.grandviewpublic.com
- Email: eatzipitios@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zipitios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grandviewpublic/
Image Credit:
@ybvisuals, @southofsouthern
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