Vendor Spotlight - T’Juana Tacos
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For this spotlight we got to connect with the amazing Monica Rodriquez and her team to see what makes T’juana Tacos such a tasty hit at Ballard and all over the Seattle area.
Who they Are
T’Juana Tacos is family owned Mexican Food business founded in 2019. Chef/Co-Owner Monica Rodriguez was born and raised in Tijuana Mexico and emigrated to the US at 16. Monica has always been inspired from her parents' true passion and dedication for family gatherings and traditional cooking. With her husband Ryan, her brother-in-law Travis, and an amazing team, Monica brings real Northern Mexico flavors with a modern twist to the NW landscape.
You can find them year-round at the Ballard Farmers market and our food truck at local Seattle breweries, and other farmers markets during the summer. They love helping their community in many ways, from providing free meals to the less fortunate to volunteering at local nonprofits to address the various challenges in our community. For example, they raise funds and awareness for low-income housing and help farmers during extreme weather losses or climate changes, supporting them in remaining resilient.
What changes have you seen in the food industry other the years?
Today Americans demand the opposite of fast foods, change was overdue. Our customers now demand healthier options and are being more health conscious and aware of what they feed their families. It’s the best opportunity for us to embrace our non-GMO, not processed foods, staying true to my upbringing and providing fresh ingredients.
Why is sourcing from local farms so important?
It’s important to my heart and conscious because I grew up in a house where we grew and raised everything we ate. If our industry can learn how important its to provide fresh flavors, we will keep our local farms thriving and a healthier community.
What impact has the relationships you have developed with local farmers had on your success? Who do you source from at the Ballard Farmers Market?
The impact sourcing from local farmers has is customers walking away with their food knowing where the ingredients came from. That is the best reward for us at T’Juana Tacos. We often get what is in season, we play around with our vegan options and aguas frescas. We source from Alvarez with their various peppers and veggies, we also love kale from Foothill farms. We love how gorgeous beets from Mariposa farms are and can’t be grateful enough for Hayton farms berries all year round. Our breakfast burritos have amazing red potatoes from Olsen farms
What are some of the highlights that you offer at the farmers market.
We have to say our tortillas are the most important vessel in our food. We often buy local maiz (heirloom corn) but for the most part we order through a local distributor for masienda, we do our nixtamilization and grinding to offer the best tortillas we know. Our signature dish is Beef-Birria Queso Tacos, it's a family favorite. It also won us best tacos in seattle competition in 2023. Come try them. We’d love to invite our Seattle locals and anyone in the Seattle area to find our calendar through our instagram.
When you visit T’Juana Tacos booth at the Ballard Farmers Market (or anywhere in Seattle) they treat you like family and everything on the menu is phenomenal. This Sunday do yourself a favor, swing by their booth and get yourself one of those Beef-Birria Queso Tacos wrapped in those delicious handmade tortillas, you won’t regret it.
