ON THE MENU — Taqueria Cotijas renovates, maintains family feeling – Port Arthur News

NEDERLAND — Nothing beats a mom’s home made cooking. That’s how Jose Cardenas runs his household operated enterprise in Nederland.

For a number of years, his father ran Taqueria Cotijas. Cardenas took over the enterprise this 12 months with the thought to modernize the restaurant however preserve the household pleasant vibe.

His mom, Maricela Figueroa, is the highest chef within the kitchen, whereas his spouse and sister-in-law additionally work the institution.

“It helps quite a bit,” Cardenas mentioned. “Nobody goes to work with you want household will. My mother is the cook dinner. My aunt makes the salsa. My spouse works right here, and my sister-in-law is a waitress, as nicely. It’s numerous household. It brings a special feeling to the place. That’s essential. We wish to deal with folks like household. We aren’t owned by an organization someplace in New York or Florida. We’re proper right here.”

Cardenas, who used to work at a refinery, took over after his dad grew to become unwell. He strives to make the Mexican restaurant standout at a time when the world has turn into saturated.

The Cardenas household cuts the ribbon for Taqueria Cotijas. (Chris Moore/The Information)

“I feel probably the most pleasure I’ve is realizing that it’s my household’s and I wish to sustain what they constructed,” he mentioned. “When my dad opened it, there weren’t many Mexican eating places right here. Now there are such a lot of, however I wish to sustain what they introduced once they got here in ’98, which was home made Mexican meals. After all, now we have Tex-Mex, due to the place we’re and that’s what sells, however we’re nonetheless distinctive.”

Cardenas mentioned the meals is made contemporary each day. He added the birria is the most well-liked dish.

“It’s a quesadilla that we cook dinner with the birria and stuff it with the meat and cheese,” he mentioned. “It’s my favourite proper now, and my mother is sweet at making it. It’s actually good.”

Since taking on the placement, he has added a bar to accommodate the younger grownup crowd.

“I feel one of many issues this place had was not maintaining with occasions,” Cardenas mentioned. “It’s a must to try this. It’s a must to preserve rolling. It wanted a contact of contemporary for the youthful crowd, however can be needs to be interesting for the older crowd that wishes a quiet place and doesn’t need the music too loud. It’s a must to have just a little of each worlds.”

Taqueria Cotija’s Mexican Restaurant is positioned at 3720 Avenue E in Nederland. Name 409-729-4700 for extra data.