Hispanic Heritage Month – Ana Lara
Can you tell us a little about your business and what you do?
My name is Ana Lilia Lara and my business is a Mexican restaurant called Francisco's Mexican Deli in Vista. Here we make all kinds of homemade food, caldo de pollo for example. But it's not your regular caldo de pollo that you would try at other places, this one is special and made with lots of love. We also have caldo de res (beef stew) which a lot of people have told me that it's delicious. Birria, menudo, barbacoa, tongue and head tacos, very traditional. It's like if you go to Mexico and want to taste the traditional dishes, that's what we have here.
What inspired you to start your business?
What inspired me first of all was my mom and grandmother, they were always selling food. At first I was very scared to start my business but my faith in God inspired me and here we are now.
What does being a Latino business owner mean to you?
Being able to help my people, my latinos. Here have worked not just Mexicans but people of different nationalities get the same opportunities as well. That's what's kept be going, being able to help others.
How does your culture influence your business?
We're 100% Hispanic. We try to make everyone that walks in to feel like they're home to keep our culture going. For example, here we prepare our beans like we would at our hometowns, we mix the nixtamal to make tortillas which are 100% handmade. Our business is really Hispanic and traditional.
How has the Vista community supported your business?
I feel that everyone in Vista is my family and they have really supported my business. Coming to buy our food, recommending us, they've supported us during the hard times. For example during the pandemic, people would come and open their trunks, they'd bring their own tables and eat outside. I'm really grateful to all our customers, they're really like my family. I'm also really grateful to God because nothing would be possible without him.
What do you hope your business contributes to our community?
I love helping people and the business really allows be to do that either though jobs or through volunteering. Right now if you go to Vista High School you'll see that we're helping the youth.
Why is it important to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
It's really important to celebrate because it's our roots. It's also important to educate our kids so they don't lose those roots. For me personally, I've made sure to teach my kids Spanish since they can forget when they go to school. Our heritage is so beautiful and it's really to pass those customs on to our children.
What message would you line to share with the next generation of Latino entrepreneurs?
Don't be scared, don't let fear put you down, have faith and you can do it. If you have it in your mind, you already have it. You have to ask God, the universe. Don't let anything in this world overshadow you. There's so many ways of going forward and make your dreams come true.