Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alex & Velda Elizarraga. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Alex & Velda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
It all was birthed through Co-Owner/Chef Alex with hope and a dream, scribbled in 2013 on a magnet pad on the fridge, written as ” To Do List : Food Truck”.
Alex has been in the Restaurant Industry for many years. Worked his way up through the ranks, for numerous locally well known establishments. He was desiring something to call his own.
I was stressed out and worried about losing the stability of a 9 to 5 job. At that time, I was a Corporate Trainer for a Company considered “TIME100 Most Influential Companies”.
It was excitement, adrenaline and anxiety all at once, when a close friend decided to sell us a food truck in 2015.
Fall 2016, Comida El Catrin LLC was established. Cashed out my 401K and put it into our start up. June 24 2017, we started operation parked in front of a Mechanic Shop, on the Morse Service Road.
“Comida El Catrin” is affectionately translated as “Food of the Gentleman“. The referred gentleman is Chef Alex. He has a Love for food, Talent for Cooking and Passion for “Feeding the People”. He is the heart of it all.
We take pride in offering tastes of Mexican roots, with American/Asian Fusion. Homemade, made fresh upon order. Focus on Consistency in our Food and our Service. We’ve modified/updated our menu throughout the years. We have been immersed in the values of Diversity and Inclusion, offering simple, good food, Vegetarian and Kid Friendly, too.
We went from working on the side of the road, to partnering with local breweries to provide food service for guests. Gradually started doing weddings/receptions, gatherings and parties, corporate events, festivals, even farmers market places.
Then COVID-19. We shut down for a week. But we with the support from our fellow food truck family, along with members of Central Ohio Food Truck Association (COFTA), We completed and implemented Mandatory Requirements to get back into operation. We survived the COVID Epidemic.
Nowadays, we go by “El Catrin“. This journey has been a mixed bag of emotions. It’s been full of challenges, heartaches, tears, and lessons learned. But with consistency, grit, hard work and resiliency, we are here. We’ve built life long connections with multiple local breweries, companies, numerous followers, regulars and friends, whom we all call our “El Catrin Fam“.
Sometimes we just have to go through hardships to know it was all worth it. Looking back, we wouldn’t change it for anything. We make our own schedule and are able to spend time together as a family.
We are truly a “Mom & Pop” Food Truck, living out our dream. Everyday our hope is that we we leave a legacy for our family, especially for our youngest son. It’s our way of life and we are thankful.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Alex was 19 when he started in the Restaurant Industry. Worked his up through the ranks, for numerous local well known establishments, like the Cameron Mitchell Brand. He has meet and befriended people of all diversity.
I have a combination of 40 something years experience in Customer Service, Retail and the Financial Industry as a Corporate Trainer. Grew up as a Military Brat, lived and traveled overseas.
We both have a love of people and a heart of servitude.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In 2017, my father passed away during the Christmas holiday. Took a brief retreat for the rest of the year. Started back up in Spring 2018.
The fall of 2018, the food truck engine blew up. Took time off to regroup. With financial help from family and friends, replaced the entire engine. Back in operation Spring 2019.
Then there was COVID-19. As previously mentioned, we shut down for a week. We got support from our fellow food truck family and members of Central Ohio Food Truck Association (COFTA). We did what was necessary to get back into operation and survived the COVID Epidemic.
In addition, by way of Streetfoodfinder.com OH, we were able to offer online ordering. Guests could conveniently order ahead and pick up when ready. A service we still do.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
We met in 2010 through his sister. We both were employed at the same company site and became close acquaintances. Years later, we ran into each other at a store. She invited me to her daughters’ (Alex’s nieces) birthday party. Alex walked in with stereo equipment to play music for the party. I asked her to meet him. She took a picture of us and we’ve been together eversince.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: El_catrin_614
- Facebook: ColsRave614
- Twitter: @catrincomida
- Other: Streetfoodfinder.com OH
Image Credits
Steve Kotevski