Meet Zulema Treviño-Gonzales | Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zulema Treviño-Gonzales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zulema, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Well, it hadn’t been at the very forefront of my mind; however, a really great opportunity presented itself in the old Cherry Block space. We had been trying to work with Revive Co for some time; however, COVID, amongst other factors, prevented anything from materializing. But once this opportunity presented itself, it became apparent that now was the time to finally venture out into other locations of our original location.

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets us aside from others is our long serving history in Houston. Our business started as a small grocery store, which many still remember to this day. Slowly we started to offer tacos and sandwiches, add a few tables. And slowly, more people were coming to eat and less to shop and so it slowly became a full service restaurant. We have seen families, upon families come in and out, grow up, have babies, grand babies and that is really what it is al about. Growing those connections with the customers, being a part of their daily lives, being the backdrop for their special events, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations. Being apart of these special moments for so long and for so many is not lost on us as a family business and a brand.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ok! Well this is fun! If I had a friend coming to visit for the FIRST time, I would stick to all local everything. Having lived in Houston pretty much all my life, I have many faves acquired: La Mexicana (of course!), Ninfa’s, Niko Niko’s, Mais, Street Food Thai Market, Hugo’s, Nancy’s Hustle, Nobies, Breakfast Club, Gatlins, Truth BBQ, Pho Binh, Pho Fix, 13 Celsius, Heights and Co, La Lucia and well, honestly I could go on and on with the food! Sights and hangouts: Thrifting on Westheimer, coffee at Common Bond, Blacksmith or Antidote, Museum of Fine Art and HMNS, window shopping at the Galleria and you can’t leave Houston without a visit to Johnson Space Center 🙂

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents, Eduardo and America Treviño. They are the Owners of La Mexicana and have been running it since 1982. They are the real epitome of an American Dream: Immigrants from Mexico, buying a small business and with sheer hard work, dedication and perseverance, they created a Houston staple of Tex Mex and Authentic Mexican food that has been serving Houston for 41 years. They are still very involved to this day and everything I have learned I owe it to them, they truly inspire me.

Website: www.lamexicanarestaurant.com, www.la-mex.com

Instagram: @eatlamex, @lamexgoof