Latin Restaurant Weeks in Houston kicked off on Friday, July 5, for a two-week celebration of the diverse and delicious flavors of Latin America and its culinary contributions.
"It’s really for people to celebrate the culture, celebrate the diversity," co-founder Karinn Chavarria-Luckett said.
The event began to help aspiring and existing Latin entrepreneurs.
"We only think of Latinos as the backbone of the culinary industry, those who are working in back of a house, in front of house," Chavarria-Luckett said. "So, it’s really a means to support and celebrate what makes Houston so great."
Dozens of local eateries are showcasing their cuisines. Whether you're looking to try a different culture's food or to find your next favorite Tex-Mex joint, LRW's list of restaurants is a good place to start. You'll find everything from upscale dining to taco trucks.
The event in Houston continues through July 19 with 83 restaurants.
One of them is Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe which has drawn crowds to its North Main location for more than two decades.
"With all of the gentrification going on, a lot of mom and pops are leaving. It does give them somewhat of a comfort," Teotihuacan General Manager Anthony Galvan said.
Galvan’s father started out bussing tables and washing dishes and now his family runs it.
"We are fortunate, lucky enough to have good clientele," Galvan said.
This is the second year Comfort Foodies, a Dominican soul food fusion restaurant, has been featured During LRW. As a budding business, the extra exposure is building the customer base.
"It’s a huge huge bonus for us, absolutely," Elsa Matthews said. "Their reach is millions of people compared to us."
Matthews is a first-generation American whose family is from the Dominican Republic. She's married to a Houston native and both cultures blend well in the kitchen.
"We’re a lot more alike than we are different. It actually compliments really well," Matthews said. "We get a lot of the brown stew chicken with collard greens and candied yams."
LRW will provide more than exposure for some restaurants. The non-profit Feed the Soul Foundation will be awarding some participants with $10,000 grants in the coming days.