Tijuana | Keeping food in the family

For Moises Velasco, being a restaurateur runs in the family. The 23-year-old lifelong Monroe resident has been helping out in his parents' restaurant, Tijuana (118 E. Main St.), for as long as he can remember.

Located in the heart of downtown Monroe, Tijuana features homemade, traditional recipes with several specialty dishes, including handmade tamales, chile rellenos, aguachile and homemade Mexican soups. Owned by his parents, Felipe and Martha, Moises helps manage all aspects of the restaurant's operations along with his sister, Gaby. And when his father isn't serving as the head chef, Moises takes over in the kitchen as well.

Open since 1994, Tijuana occupies the space that was formerly home to IXTAPA Family Mexican Restaurant, which is owned by Martha's brother, Mateo Barajas. Barajas, Martha and Felipe are all from a small town in Mexican called Cuautla, which is roughly 65 miles south of Mexico City.-á -á

Born and raised in Monroe, Moises graduated from Monroe High School in 2009 and is currently attending the University of Washington studying communications. He hopes to use his education to enhance his business acumen and help further his career aspirations in regards to both the restaurant and Tijuana's catering services. -á

He remembers spending time at Tijuana as a young child.

"As a kid, I'd come here and play with my cars,GÇ¥ Moises said. -á

Moises worked his way up in the restaurant, starting out as a host when he was very young. He remembers greeting customers with a quiet, "Hi, how many?GÇ¥-á

Since then, he's worked as a dishwasher, prep cook, server, busboy and waiter. Currently, he is responsible for menu design, catering and cooking.-á

Moises and his parents are constantly looking for ways to improve the menu by adding new items. On the advice of his Uncle Mateo, Moises recently added a seafood dish called aguachile, a zesty, fresh dish that features shrimp, tomatoes, avocado, onions, lime and spicy chiles. Moises explained that the ceviche-type dish is somewhat high-maintenance, since it must be created from scratch each time it is ordered, but he's happy to serve it because the customers are enjoying it.

"People are starting to know what it is,GÇ¥ Moises said. "It's something that comes out as an appetizer in Mexico.GÇ¥

Tijuana is known for the authentic-style chile rellenos, a dish that features cheese-stuffed chile peppers that are dipped in egg batter and fried. Creating the chile rellenos is a distinct process that his parents have worked to perfect over time.

"It's something my parents are very proud of,GÇ¥ Moises said.-á -á

Moises looks forward to continuing to develop the menu with different monthly specials and will also implement a new work station to accommodate handmade tortillas.

"That's coming up,GÇ¥ Moises said. "It's more work but I think it's going to be worth it.GÇ¥

Moises enjoys the family aspect of the business and the opportunity to carry on the family tradition GÇô despite the fact that the restaurant industry is considered a high-stress environment.-á

"Everything is stress. If there's no tomatoes, that's stress. When a guy doesn't show up, that's stress. When there's no people, that's stressful. If there's a lot of people, that's stressful,GÇ¥ Moises said, laughing. "Everything is stressful GÇô my uncle told me that.GÇ¥-á

Tijuana is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. -á

"My dad's totally old school,GÇ¥ Moises said. "We're only closed four days a year: Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving.GÇ¥-á

Tijuana's full bar offers drink specials including the "Martha-Rita,GÇ¥ a regular margarita that has been infused with Spanish-style sangria. The restaurant is truly a family-owned and operated enterprise. In addition to Felipe, Martha, Gaby and Moises, there are just two other employees. -á

"I like being with my family,GÇ¥ Moises said. "Helping my family out, working with my parents. Not everybody gets to say that.GÇ¥

Monroe resident Melissa Lee Schwartz loves eating at Tijuana.

"Tijuana's just makes me happy. The staff is amazing GÇô so friendly, so welcoming. It is the place I want and choose to go if I have a night out. The food is awesome,GÇ¥ Schwarz said. "I recommend this place to anyone and everyone.GÇ¥

For more information on Tijuana Restaurant, visit www.facebook.com/pages/Tijuana-Restaurant/387640641380080?sk=timeline.-á