Thirty years ago Columbus entrepreneurs Efrain Quezada and Fernando Morales set out to establish and open a Mexican restaurant dedicated to the style of “on the range” cooking.They opened their first restaurant, El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant on Riverside Drive in Upper Arlington, Ohio. Using distinctive spices and authentic original recipes to create those Vaquero favorites, El Vaquero today has attached other dedicated and passionate owners to the enterprise with 20 locations including three in Greater Cincinnati, three in Greater Toledo, and two in Michigan.
When Lisa and Vicente Gutierrez launched Dos Hermanos Taco Truck in 2012, all they had was a borrowed food truck and a dream. With just $2,000 in savings and no formal business education, they decided to give the mobile food truck business a chance. Their brand, authentic Oaxacan-style recipes, and dedication to using the best local ingredients, led to long lines and raving fans. Since expanding from a food truck to 4 brick-and-mortar locations, guests can now frequent Dos Hermanos in Easton Town Center, the historic North Market Downtown, the North Market at Bridge Park, and Food Fort 2.0.