VIVA NOLA SEPTEMBER 2020
Latina Actriz Karrie Martin from the Netflix original series "Gentefied" talks about her journey from Lousiana to Los Angeles and to leading on screen. Supporting community grassroots food equality nitiatives while getting a healthy boost for immunity. A children's book by local author for learning Spanish and about America's autochthonous species. The new Taco joint in town; Exercising with Latina Athletics; Learning about America's own País Grape; and the History of Spanish Broadcasts for American Football in New Orleans. Bilingual, multicultural magazine made in New Orleans.
Latina Actriz Karrie Martin from the Netflix original series "Gentefied" talks about her journey from Lousiana to Los Angeles and to leading on screen.
Supporting community grassroots food equality nitiatives while getting a healthy boost for immunity. A children's book by local author for learning Spanish and about America's autochthonous species. The new Taco joint in town; Exercising with Latina Athletics; Learning about America's own País Grape; and the History of Spanish Broadcasts for American Football in New Orleans. Bilingual, multicultural magazine made in New Orleans.
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Pacos Tacos:
The New Kids on the Block
By Cristy Cali
@drcristycali
Just a few weeks before the
pandemic reached the United
States, Pacos Tacos opened
its doors on Veterans Boulevard near
Clearview. Their adorable K9 chef logo
with the traditional trompo was a clever
branding strategy to include the owner’s
beloved Mini Schnauzer into the family
business.
Despite having opened in the middle
of what is arguably one of the worst
economic-impacting disasters in US
history, Pacos Tacos is thriving. As of
writing this article, they have 77 reviews
on Yelp with a 4.5-star rating and 63
reviews on Google with a 4.7-star rating.
So, what is their secret? How is this
little taco restaurant killing it during
chaos? I interviewed the owners to
learn more about the engine that’s
driving this Mexican machine. Carlos
and Daysi Valencia are the married duo
that brings the love & passion behind
this enterprise. But Carlos is the eldest
son of the founders of Carreta’s, so
he brings a lot of knowledge, personal
experience, and emotional investment
to the table.
“In Latin cultures, the eldest usually
takes over the family business. I have
been in charge of Carretas for the last
10 years. We started Pacos Tacos
because we wanted to bring something
new and traditional to the New Orleans
area; something from the streets of
Mexico,” says Carlos.
His father had left his own family’s
trade of diamond setting to invest in
their first restaurant in Los Angeles -
also a brave thing to do in Latin culture.
I asked Carlos about the challenges
he has experienced as a restaurateur
and how they may have stimulated his
personal & professional growth.
“I am deeply and truly thankful for the
opportunity that the local community
has given us. We have been through
some tough situations Katrina and now
COVID and we have always been able to
count on the overwhelming support by
our guests. It truly is amazing to witness
the love that they have shown us.
Through these and countless other
struggles, I have learned the importance
of always keeping our guests at the
forefront of our priorities. I have been
humbled by watching guests who were
babies now all grown up and bringing in
a new generation of Carretas lovers.”
12 VIVA NOLA ~ September 2020
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