Rafaela Maya is proud of her two daughters Luz and Lorena Rodríguez Maya, who own the family business Zingo Tacos al Carbón in El Sereno. And it is not for less, because the taquería, with more than 20 years of existence, began out of necessity without imagining that it would become a legacy.
Rafaela and her husband Adán Rodríguez Orta emigrated to the United States at the end of the years 80 ‘s and began to work on sewing. Shortly after, they both lost their jobs and became street food vendors.
“A friend of my husband told him to sell tacos. We didn’t know how to do them, but we did need to work, “said Rafaela, originally from Toluca, Mexico.
I put a carton of milk under the cart we were working on. ”
Now Luz, from 33 years, together with Lorena, of 27, bought the property where the restaurant was recently reopened Zingo on Valley Boulevard. Zingo is popular for its Tijuana-style tacos grilled with mesquite wood. Also for their original guacamole, sauces, rice and beans – all made by hand.
During the coronavirus crisis, the sisters made necessary renovations , became integrated into online takeaway food sales and increased their visibility on social media, such as Instagram and TikTok.
“When it started the pandemic we saw that my parents needed a lot of help because we did not know how the covid – 19 was going to affect small businesses “, said Luz.
” So Lorena and I worked very hard to see what help there was for small businesses, we closed a few weeks and then we started doing renovations. ”
With the help of the Business Women Center in the area, the sisters were able to obtain grants that helped the business continue. Lorena focused on taking charge of finances and Luz marketing.
Rafaela Maya and Adan Rodríguez. (Supplied)
Proud Taqueras
For as long as they can remember, the sisters have seen their parents in the taco business. For several years, Rafaela and Adán had a small store and eventually got two lunch boxes to sell tacos. After about eight years one of the lunch boxes broke down and they could not fix it, the other was crashed and the place he rented no longer had as many customers due to the crime and gangs in the area.
So they decided to close and returned to the street vendor. However, Rafaela said that it was not easy at all as street food vendors face many challenges.
“Once a customer looked at us and He told us that we were mediocre. Nearby businesses threw us to the police and told us they were going to throw a bomb on us, ”recalled the family matriarch.
For him 1280 an aunt of Luz and Lorena offered them the taco shop that she was renting and that she was going to retire.
Luz had just graduated from UC Riverside in business administration and marketing and Lorena was starting her bachelor’s degree in sociology, law and society at Cal State LA, so initially they weren’t very involved in the business.
The mulita is one of Zingo’s popular dishes. (Supplied)
Changing the structure
Luz, who already had experience in the field, noticed that the business had potential, but she needed help. It was originally called Tacos Café Tijuana.
“But I thought that was a very big name and people weren’t going to memorize it”,
When looking for options, they decided to use the name Zingo in honor of Coatzingo, his father’s hometown, in the state of Puebla, Mexico . Luz created the green logo with symbols of a viper, since Coatzingo in Nahuatl means “little snake of water.”
Shortly after they began to use social media to promote the business. Although her parents were a bit hesitant to take unfamiliar steps, they also trusted their daughters by giving them the green light to make the necessary changes.
Her brother Adam Gonzalo Rodríguez, of 31 years, He was a cook in the restaurant until a few months ago when for family reasons he had to move to Las Vegas, Nevada.
“My dad has learned that it is It is necessary to keep up with trends, “said Luz.
” He gets sentimental when he is seen on social networks, “added Lorena. However, today Zingo Tacos al Carbón has become an icon in the community.
In 2019 participated by feeding teachers from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) who were on strike and during the pandemic participated in the Project Homekey program feeding the homeless of El Sereno.
The young women expect the business to continue growing both in clientele and in size. There are currently seven employees, but the young women hope to open a taco chain in the near future.
Luz recommends that young people not be discouraged if you want to start a business or continue your parent’s legacy.
“Although it is a lot of work, it is satisfying to see the fruit of the family’s efforts… There are many resources and it is good to meet people who are helping ”
Lorena added that they should not be afraid to dream big because you only live once and young people should fight for dreams.
But the happiest of all is Rafaela who recognized that the effort that began many years ago was worth it, her daughters are co-owners, her son-in-law helps with graphic design and she and her husband are the star chefs.
“Working as a family and as a team is very nice,” she said Rafaela. You can
You can find Zingo Tacos al Carbón on Instagram HERE
