FARGO, ND — After eight years of operating from a tent and a food trailer, Maria’s HomeStyle Mexican Food is set to open a permanent restaurant in downtown Fargo. The new “Taco Shop,” or taqueria, will be located in the former Smiling Moose space on 1st Ave. N.
The business, founded by Maria Carpenter Rodriguez and her family, began with the bare essentials and has grown into a well-known local name. “With the help of my family, we started off under a tent with very little equipment,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “With each event we served our food we earned the ability to buy what equipment we needed one piece at a time.”
The new location is described as a “dream come true” and a step toward bringing stability to the family-owned and operated business. The restaurant will feature “California Style Mexican Food,” with recipes handed down from Rodriguez’s mother, aunt, and grandmothers. “We have always worked hard to give our community the very best of our California Style Mexican Food,” she said, “staying true to the flavors we grew up eating from our home state and in our homes as well as staying true to our Mexican culture style of cooking.”
The business is now seeking community support through a GoFundMe online fundraiser to complete the project, which includes purchasing some final pieces of equipment, securing permits, and branding. “Our community has been a God Sent Blessing to our Family and to Our Family Business,” Maria said. “We are so excited to open up OUR DOORS to ALL OF YOU located downtown Fargo.” She added that she hopes to “give back to our community thru this location by blessing it the way you all have blessed us.”
Maria’s HomeStyle Mexican Food has built a reputation for its tamales and catering services. The new physical location will allow the family to serve the community on a more frequent basis. Maria encourages continued support through attending their pop-up events, hiring them for catering, and visiting the new store once it opens.
