Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Gunn
Hi Amber, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Luis Lara and I started this business together. He was the chef and the dreamer and had been in the restaurant business for 20+ years. I was the entrepreneur and sales and marketing visionary. Together, we were the perfect team. Luis is from Reynosa and the Rio Grande Valley and truly possesses this passion for cooking and pleasing people. I am from Houston and Austin and love food more than most things. The name, Tacos Papi Grande, was born out of a golf cart ride on the beach in Port Aransas. “Big Poppa” by Notorious BIG came on, and all of a sudden, “I love it when you call me Papi Grande” came out of my mouth! The name was born!
We started in a commercial window at Red Bus Food Park in San Marcos, TX. We thought the food was amazing, but did anyone else? Yes, they did! That was January 21, 2023. We felt safe ordering the food truck, and it was delivered March 2023. We franchised out that location to a neighbor in the kitchen, but that bit us in the backside, as we didn’t include a minimum term. Fail forward! Onward and upward! The business was thriving either way, so we knew we had something worth pursuing.
We moved to New Braunfels from Cedar Park in November 2022, not knowing a single soul. We built the business from the ground up. Our vision was to create this “wow” experience with superior customer service and top notch food. It wasn’t ever going to just be a place to just get food. You were going to walk away feeling good because we are lovers and connectors and want it to be a place of authentic connection “where everyone knows your name”.
So, that’s what we did! We shop all around San Antonio and Austin and order from 5+ different vendors because the quality of each ingredient is paramount to us. It’s worth the time and the effort for us to always start with the best. We vowed to never let the quality go down as we grew, no matter the toll it might take on us. And we have stayed fervently true to that promise. Our menu is small and focused, but everything there is 100% on point. FIRE!!!
It’s been an amazing ride so far, and we have learned so much! Honestly, we should probably start a food truck consulting business as well! And the people we have met? PRICELESS. Our network is made up of these wonderful humans that supports us daily, weekly, monthly… No one would ever know how much work it is before and after, but the relationships and the smiles on their faces and the outrageous, loving reviews make it worth it all.
At the end of the day, our mission is to give back to our community. We donate to Connections Individual and Family Services for staff functions and help with their fundraising efforts year-round, especially at Christmas. We also do a “Tacos for Tots” day each year where we donate our profits to needy families for Christmas wants and needs. This year, we have brought on 5+ restaurants that are participating, so we can make an even bigger impact. This year the date is 12/8/2024! We are also working on two additional locations now, so stay tuned! Thank you all for your love and support and patience most of all!!!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Wow, the permits in each county/city… Electrical breaking… hitting tree branches up top,.. blow out on I35… double booking… burners not working… AC not working properly… jack knifing… the list goes on!!!
Festivals? I’m not sure we have figured out how to prepare for those still.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Tacos Papi Grande, LLC?
We specialize in authentic Mexican street tacos. Specifically chicken and beef birria, asada, and al pastor con pina. What sets apart from others is that everything is home made and no short cuts are taken. Our ingredients are premier. And we love on our customers like no other. We have created raving fans!
Now, we are an all girl taco truck, and there is a lot of power in that!
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is the experiences with my father as an Indian Princess with the YMCA. It was a daddy/daughter organization with regular meetings with arts/crafts and basic outdoor skills training. My father was Mighty Rushing River, and I was Little Laughing Waters. Not much has changed… Our camping trips there and with my family helped form my love for nature and connection. Precious moments…
Pricing:
- $8-15
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tacospapigrande.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tacospapigrande
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/tacospapigrandetx
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-papi-grande-new-braunfels?osq=tacos+papi+grande
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@tacospapigrande
