Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim.
Hi Jim, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Eight years ago, our family moved to McMinnville to remain close to our children as they began their college journeys. Today, one is a proud graduate of Linfield University and a McMinnville educator, and another is a current Linfield Wildcat, pursuing a bachelor’s in chemistry to become a primary care physician. Along the way, we found something we never expected: a community that welcomed us with open arms. McMinnville has truly become our home, and we are honored to be part of it.
When you visit Abuela’s, you’ll notice the wall of angel wings—a meaningful collection of gifts from family, friends, and the loyal guests who have become part of our extended family over the past eight years. Each pair of wings represents the relationships, generosity, and sense of belonging that have made this community so special to us.
At Abuela’s, every dish is inspired by the traditions, resilience, and love of our grandmothers—Maria, Felicitas, Julieta, Gloria, and Manuela. These remarkable women, who raised their families in Mexico City and Cuernavaca, Morelos, faced life’s challenges with courage, determination, and grace. Their recipes, passed down through generations, are woven together with our favorite childhood memories to create the meals we are proud to share at Abuela’s Nuestra Cocina.
It is our privilege to welcome guests into our restaurant as we would our own home. We hope customers join us for lunch or dinner and experience the flavors, traditions, and hospitality that have shaped our family’s story.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has helped shape who we are today.
As a minority-owned business opening in a new community, we had to work hard to earn trust and establish ourselves. There were moments when the current political climate made that feel even more challenging. At times, it felt like we had to prove ourselves in ways that extended beyond simply serving great food.
We also entered a community with several well-established Tex-Mex restaurants that had loyal customer bases. Our goal was never to compete by being the same—we wanted to share the style of Mexican food that reflects our family’s recipes, traditions, and experiences. Because our menu is different from what many people were accustomed to, we faced criticism and skepticism early on. Some guests expected a Tex-Mex experience and were surprised to find flavors and dishes that were more representative of the food we grew up with in Mexico City.
Rather than changing who we are, we stayed committed to our vision. We focused on consistency, quality, hospitality, and creating an authentic experience. Over time, we’ve been grateful to see many people embrace our food, recommend us to others, and become loyal customers. Watching the community become more open to trying something different has been incredibly rewarding.
Looking back, those challenges made us more resilient and reinforced the importance of staying true to our identity. We’re proud not only of the business we’ve built, but also of the opportunity to share our culture and create a space where people can experience authentic Mexican cuisine with an open mind.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our restaurant is deeply rooted in family, tradition, and the culture of Mexico City. Every aspect of our brand was intentionally created to honor my grandmother, María, whose love for cooking and hospitality continues to inspire everything we do today.
Our logo, a mason jar, is one of the most meaningful representations of our story. Growing up, our grandmother Maria spent countless hours making homemade jams, pickled jalapeños, carrots, and onions. During the summers, she would turn her fresh fruit preserves into special snow cones for us—a simple tradition that became some of our favorite childhood memories. The mason jar symbolizes her resourcefulness, generosity, and the homemade care that we strive to bring to every meal we serve.
Our restaurant also reflects the Mexico City we know and love. As one of the largest and most culturally diverse cities in the world, Mexico City is a melting pot of art, history, architecture, and cuisine. We wanted our space to capture that richness. While many people associate Mexican culture with colorful décor or iconic figures like Frida Kahlo, there is so much more to our heritage. Many contemporary Mexican artists draw inspiration from sacred hearts, angels, and religious iconography, which inspired our signature wall of wings—an artistic tribute to those traditions and to the beauty found throughout Mexico’s creative culture.
Our menu is equally reflective of our roots. We don’t try to recreate the Tex-Mex experience that many people are familiar with. Instead, we proudly serve recipes inspired by the food we grew up eating. For example, our garden vegetable rice offers a fresh alternative to the Spanish rice many guests expect, and many of our dishes feature flavors and preparations that are authentic to our family’s table.
From the very beginning, we’ve believed that authentic food can also be inclusive. Many of our menu items are naturally vegetarian or vegan, and we can accommodate many gluten and dairy allergies without sacrificing flavor. We also believe that quality starts with ingredients, which is why we partner with local farmers and producers whenever possible and prepare our rice, beans, salsas, sauces, and proteins from scratch every day.
More than anything, we want people to know that our restaurant is a reflection of our family and our culture. Every recipe, design choice, and detail has a story behind it. We hope our guests leave not only having enjoyed a great meal, but also with a deeper appreciation for the diversity, artistry, and hospitality that define Mexico City and the traditions that have shaped our family for generations.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What we have loved most about McMinnville is the people. As a family that moved here from a different city and community, we were stepping into unfamiliar territory, but many local customers welcomed us with kindness and encouragement. Their support, generosity, and appreciation for the hard work we put into our restaurant have given us the motivation to keep growing. We are incredibly grateful for the relationships we’ve built and for the customers who have become a part of our extended family.
One of the more challenging aspects has been finding our place as newcomers. McMinnville has many long-standing businesses with deep roots in the community, and earning that same level of recognition and inclusion was not an overnight process. As a minority-owned business bringing a different style of Mexican cuisine, we had to work hard to build trust and show the community who we are and what we stand for.
That said, those challenges ultimately led us to connect with a wonderful group of like-minded individuals who value our space, our food, and our company. Today, we feel proud to be part of a growing and diverse community, and we’re thankful for the customers and fellow business owners who have supported us along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.abuelasnuestracocina.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/abuelasnuestracocina
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553335987869
