“We do what is most convenient for customers” explains Maria Acevedo, the proud owner of La Maria’s Taqueria Food Truck. From the early development stages of her business, Maria has maintained an adaptable and customer service-centered mindset . Now in 2022, she has added a new restaurant location to her existing mobile food truck operations. She will now serve her diverse customer base with the greatest variety of convenience, choice, and enjoyment.
In 2018, Maria, a natural-born chef from San Ignacio, Morelos, Mexico. She began thinking of selling breakfast food knowing where to start. From the pan to the plan, her idea evolved when an opportunity came along to rent an existing truck from a friend. During this time, she saw the market for other street food items and shifted her dream menu. She decided to include more lunch and dinner options such burritos and tacos. She first opened La Maria’s Food Truck in April of 2019.
Though it was an exciting first year, there were no shortage of challenges. During the first year, she was in the process of financing the purchase of her own food truck from Orlando, FL. Additionally she was working side jobs to support herself and her family: “It was a challenge because I was still working in with some cleaning businesses and I would leave quickly to do my job at the taco truck”, Maria describes.
A year later, in 2020, Maria officially owned her very own food truck. It was a representation of her perseverance which would prep her for a year of adversity. Apart from the pandemic, Maria had to navigate the complicated licensing and legal requirements that come with new businesses. Luckily, LEDC’s business development and lending program associates have been a great resource for entrepreneurs like Maria. She elaborates, “Between the licenses and things like that, it’s something new for someone who is just starting out and one gets lost in those things. But now we know where to go so they can help us with the licenses and all that stuff.”. During this time, she resolved to finding a permanent site, apart from catering events, to sell regularly. She found her footing in Lake Elmo. Here is where she saw the advantage of further deepening roots with the community by way of food. Next came her new goal of opening a more traditional restaurant space.
In 2022, Maria met her goal and she has grown her operation. She recently open her new restaurant, La Maria Taqueria Restaurant on April 29th in Lakeland, MN. Maria worked tirelessly to create a comfortable indoor space for all her current and new clients to experience cuisine. Customers can still visit her truck to find a delicious lunch on-the-go during Minnesota’s sunny months or they can now sit-and-stay a-while in a beautiful and relaxed setting, year-round. Either dining choice will have in common the simple yet spellbinding menu items.
Maria shares the most important ingredient in her tasty food: “I love the work that I do. I love to see the faces of the customers who savor their food. I don’t think there’s something secret in food, just the passion that we put into it.” LEDC is proud to have worked with Maria one of our Business Develoment Associates, Rico Duran provides us with some final words, “She is a fabulous client of LEDC, many congratulations to her.”
Visit the food truck!
11025 10 TH ST N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
Visit the new restaurant!
360 St Croix Trail S, Lakeland, MN 55043
Are you thinking of starting your own business, but not sure where to begin? Contact our Business Development team to set up an appointment or visit our website for more information!
