Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erika & Alba Barboza & Cavazos. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Erika & Alba thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

We immigrated to South Carolina from Mexico to teach Spanish 15 years ago. We immediately noticed that the options for Mexican food were very limited and many places were “Americanizing” the food. We missed the foods we grew up eating, so we decided to start our journey offering our take on Mexican food at Soda City market in Columbia, SC. That was in 2017 and thanks to the excellent response, we now have a food truck. We love to share our culture through food!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

At La Cochinita Mexican, we love to see our clients smile when they get our food! We make delicious satisfying food that reminds us of home. Our regular menu includes Carnitas, Cochinita Pibil, Chicken Chipotle, Birria, Chorizo and Picadillo. We also like to offer specials so our clients can try less common dishes such as Chilaquiles, Mole, Pozole, Tamales, Empalmes, Bunuelos and more. We also pay attention to our drinks and make handmade Horchata, Cucumber lemonade, Pina colada, Avocado tea, and Hibiscus lemonade

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been consistency, and staying true to our values. We believe the food we offer is Authentic Mexican and we do not deviate. We do not make queso, we make guacamole. We do not make hard shell tacos, we make tostadas. We do not make chimichangas, we make flautas, and so on. Do not get us wrong, there is nothing wrong with enjoying the items we do not make, they can be delicious, just know that they are Tex-Mex or they have different influences. We also like to use quality ingredients and give our clients a delicious experience every time.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth! When people like your food, they talk to other people! They post pictures in social media and tag us, and we love it! For instance, our vegan clients have been sharing how much they love our house made mushroom chorizo and our vegan clientele has been steadily increasing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: #lacochinitamexican
• Facebook: @lacochinitamexicanbbq

Image Credits
Jamison Photography