Lorenzo Lopez and Olegario Ramos put together meals at Don Rafa’s taco cart close to the previous Sears constructing on State Avenue in Salt Lake Metropolis on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Intermountain Healthcare plans to raze the constructing and develop the property. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
Tacos are handed to a buyer at Tacos Don Rafa taco cart close to the previous Sears constructing on on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
Tacos Don Rafa has been a gentle fixture on the nook of State Avenue and 800 South in Salt Lake Metropolis for 1 / 4 of a century.
The downtown staple outlasted its former neighbor, Sears, in addition to some competing taco carts. It survived the 2008 recession, a pandemic and even an try from a neighboring restaurant chain to take away it — however will it make it via redevelopment of the previous Sears constructing? Proprietor Jesus Rosas Alcanta says there isn't any doubt.
"So long as town permits us to remain right here, we'll be right here. I am going to have a good time 25 years on this nook in February," he mentioned in Spanish. "Whoever involves Salt Lake Metropolis and would not strive Tacos Don Rafa, would not know town — as a result of we're a part of Salt Lake Metropolis."
Salt Lake Metropolis spokeswoman Molly Farmer confirmed that no matter what Intermountain Healthcare plans to construct on the website, bought in 2021, there isn't a cause the cart must transfer.
"Because the carts have been working there and (are) established, they're grandfathered in," Farmer mentioned about Tacos Don Rafa and a close-by cart. "The town has a terrific working relationship with the homeowners, and there isn't any plans to make any adjustments."
What's unsure is the longevity of Tacos Don Rafa's parking and seating space. Rosas presently rents the japanese a part of the property's car parking zone (a deal that was handed on to Intermountain Healthcare by the property's earlier proprietor).
Intermountain spokesman Jess Gomez confirmed the association will proceed in the course of the previous Sears constructing demolition. Nonetheless, the State Avenue entrance to the lot will probably be closed for security functions. As a substitute, prospects will be capable of entry Tacos Don Rafa's parking and seating from 800 South. Rosas mentioned he's in conversations with the key well being care nonprofit to see if there is a risk of an analogous rental deal sooner or later.
Gomez mentioned that since Intermountain remains to be creating plans for the world, it is nonetheless too early to know the way building will have an effect on Tacos Don Rafa. Intermountain started demolition on the property earlier this month.
Tacos are handed to a buyer at Tacos Don Rafa taco cart close to the previous Sears constructing on on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
Rising a household legacy
Twenty-four years in the past, Rosas gambled on a brand new idea — one thing as fast and reasonably priced as McDonalds however rather more genuine and recent. He would open the kind of taco stand that was common all through Mexico and California however what he referred to as a primary for Utah. When he initially went to town with plans, he remembers workers members asking him, "What's a taco stand?"
Rosas closed down two eating places he owned on the time and targeted his efforts on the State Avenue taco cart. When it got here time to select a location, Rosas did not fear an excessive amount of.
"Nothing greater than I mentioned, 'Right here' — like while you spin a globe and also you say the place will I'm going on trip?'" Rosas mentioned, including that he stayed on the location due to how busy State Avenue is and the parking and bogs obtainable at Sears.
The gamble paid off. Tacos Don Rafa lately opened a meals truck in Bountiful, along with its unique State Avenue location. The enterprise has additionally provided catering, and Rosas mentioned its purchasers vary from marriage ceremony planners to Delta Air Traces, DHL, Salt Lake Metropolis and former Gov. Jon Huntsman.
"Tacos Don Rafa is for everybody, " he mentioned. "For individuals who work in building, for individuals who work in workplaces, for low-income and rich individuals — they arrive right here."
Regardless of the enterprise's success and the truth that Rosas grew up in Colima, Mexico, watching his personal father promote tacos; proudly owning a taquería wasn't one thing Rosas had ever deliberate on.
"I by no means imagined that I'd be making tacos. I studied and graduated in Mexico; I had a profession there. However you by no means know what's ready for you across the nook," he mentioned. "Our our bodies, our minds, are like a pc. In my inside software program, I've reminiscences of my dad making salsa, meat and all of that... If you least count on it, you look in your software program and you discover the reality."
The identify Tacos Don Rafa is a nod to these reminiscences of his father, Rafael Rosas, who was often known as Don Rafa. As Rosas has grown the enterprise from the bottom up, he is continued to make reminiscences for his family in addition to others.
"The kids of my purchasers who've come earlier than inform me, 'Once I was little, my father used to carry me right here and now that I've my very own youngsters, I carry them,'" Rosas mentioned. "That is one thing that makes me very completely satisfied."
He says the key to his long-term success is household. Not like a few of his opponents, Tacos Don Rafa is open from 10 a.m. to midnight, three hundred and sixty five days a 12 months — come rain, snow or sunshine. Somebody from the household — a brother, cousin, son or daughter — will cowl the cart, it doesn't matter what.
"I've seen 5 - 6 taqueros on this nook. I am right here as a result of we're all household. My brothers, my youngsters — all of us work and all of us have the keenness to work. We earn a dwelling right here, so it is necessary for us to be right here," he mentioned. "The individuals know that should you're hungry at 11 o'clock at evening, we're open. For those who come at 6 p.m., 10 a.m., we're open. If it is snowing lots, we're open. Folks know we're right here day-after-day."
Rosas' household can also be the motivation behind the enterprise's current growth into Bountiful in addition to a brick-and-mortar location Rosas is planning in Millcreek.
"We determined to develop after 25 years. Why? As a result of my youngsters now have youngsters, they're adults now," he mentioned. "Earlier than I may help them from right here, however now they should help their very own households. We're rising as a household, and we're rising as a enterprise."