STARS IN THE SKY VALLEY: Ixtapa's success a family affair

By Valeria Rae

Burritos, tacos, enchiladas, sopapillas! Ixtapa Mexican Restaurants have them all, plus many more delicious menu options. Opened in 1986 by brothers Mateo and Jesse Barajas, Ixtapa has been a local favorite and a dining destination for Sky Valley residents and visitors traveling the Highway 2 corridor.

The Barajas brothers and their cousin Ramon emigrated to the Northwest in 1980 from the small town of Cuautla, in the central Mexico state of Jalisco. These young entrepreneurs set out to realize their dream of owning and operating Mexican-style restaurants.

They learned the trade while working in Kenmore in 1986. While their cousin opened the Puerto Vallarta Restaurant in Bellevue, Mateo and Jesse chose a more rural community in which to settle and launch their restaurant chain.

From Monroe, they expanded to Sultan, Snohomish, Duvall and Clearview. Today these lively businesses are thriving. Jesse recently sold the Snohomish restaurant and is now assisting Mateo in Monroe. Mateo passed on the Sultan business to new owners, while his son, Daniel, owns and operates the Ixtapa in Clearview. Mateo's other son, Adrian, chose a different path and is in the construction trade.

In the 1980s, families from the same small town in Mexico started 90 percent of the Mexican style restaurants in the greater Seattle area. Mateo is proud of the culinary options and successful businesses his friends and neighbors have contributed to the northwest.

The Barajas have definitely made their mark on the Sky Valley. When asked why he decided to build in Monroe, Mateo said they wanted to live and raise their families in a small community where people know each other. They also chose Monroe because, at that time, there were no other Mexican-style restaurants in the area. He said that beginning the business was made easy by the warm welcome he received from city officials and residents.

Over the past 30 years, Mateo has developed mutually supportive relationships with the city, school district and fire and police departments. Each year during national appreciation week, Ixtapa honors the police and fire departments by providing a Mexican lunch at their stations.

In addition to providing excellent food, Mateo has supported the community in many ways. His primary focus has been enriching the lives and opportunities for children. He has given financial support to the Boys & Girls Club and caters dinner to 100 folks who participate in the lip sync contest at Monroe High School, donating a percentage of the proceeds to the school district. Ixtapa also provide lunch during the cancer fundraiser in June, donates gift certificates and sponsors a number of community sports teams.

Mateo is a long-standing member of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of the Monroe Public Schools Foundation. He continues to support this worthy organization by providing money for scholarships every year.

A favorite in the Fair Parade, Cousin Ramon's dancing horses and mariachi band always make an appearance. In traditional dress for both riders and horses, the troupe entertains the crowds along the street. Following the parade, they give a high stepping performance in the parking lot behind the Monroe Ixtapa's.

One of 13 children, Mateo recently visited his home town of Cuautla to celebrate his father's 90th birthday. All of his brothers and sisters were able to attend this special event. In addition, the Barajas host their parents in Washington for a month each year.

When asked what community improvements he would like to see, Mateo shared that his wish is for greater integration of the Hispanic and Anglo communities. He would like more Spanish speaking residents to learn English, and for them not to be fearful of accessing public resources like the community college, police and social services.

So what are folks saying about this remarkable man who has made such a positive impact on life in the Sky Valley?

Elizabeth Skalabrin says, "Mateo is real inspirational leader, especially in the Hispanic community. Monroe is better place because of him.GÇ¥

Sue Skillen: "Mateo has provided tremendous and consistent support for students and the Monroe Public Schools Foundation. We are so lucky to have him as part of our communityGÇ¥.

Judy Crawford: "I have known Mateo for a long time. He is a true pillar of the communityGÇ¥.

Mateo says the secret of his success is that he loves people, family and the restaurant business.