Over 20 years ago, my mother was working as an academic counselor at Monroe College and as any other workday went, she ended up wrapping up her work around her lunch break and headed out to get food. 

My mom is as friendly as it gets and loved experiencing things with others, which became clear as she would go out with her fellow colleagues during her break to de-stress. 

Around where she was in New Rochelle, there have always been plenty of food places that she could go to. Down the street, there was a Taco Bell and a McDonald’s if she ever wanted something quick. 

However, if she went up the street, there were local places that made much better food even if it cost more. On Main Street, there are countless places to choose from whether you’re craving Chinese or Asian cuisine, Italian food, salads or even the typical deli food that you’d find anywhere in New York. 

One day, she was in the mood for Spanish food, as my mom always tends to be in a mood for certain types of cuisines, which led her and her colleagues to walk up the street and dine at “The Mexican Corner Restaurant,” which is a small, family-owned business here in New Rochelle that has the best Mexican food, in my opinion. 

My mom went once on a random day many years ago, but little did she know that this decision would lead to her making a life-long friend and go-to place for Spanish food. 

She would go back many times, which led her to being acquainted with the owner of the restaurant, John, who would talk to her and her colleagues more each time they visited. 

Their conversations ranged from food to family, as my mom became aware of some issues that his daughter was having, and she always asked how his family was doing because that’s just the type of person she is. 

Many years later, my mom gave birth to me and soon, her love of “The Mexican Corner Restaurant” would transfer to the next generation. 

Early in my life, I was a very meticulous eater. As a baby, I would eat any and everything that my mom would put in front of me, but that would change after I had a stomach virus when I was young. 

As a result, I stopped eating a lot of the foods that I used to eat, and it was an issue that I struggled with throughout my childhood.  

On yet another random day as a child, my parents decided they were going to order food from the restaurant, but 5-year-old me was hesitant because I refused to eat anything stemming from my stomach virus. Thankfully, my mom convinced me to try their tacos, which she knew I’d love, and I fell in love with them. 

After I tried the food for the first time, it was so delicious that it started a tradition where we would be regular customers for 20 years and I’d enjoy their carne adovada tacos, which became my regular order, each time. 

My mom’s experiences at “The Mexican Corner Restaurant” ended up shaping mine as the good experiences helped me to eat diverse types of food and become less picky, and there’s only John and his family that I must thank and show my love for because of that.