Small Business Spotlight: Chicharo's Edition

There are many family-owned businesses within Muscatine, Iowa. These establishments employ many students of Muscatine High School. This restaurant in specific has many highschool employees who appreciate the close family environment. 

Owned by Monica and Cesar Garrido, Chicharos is an authentic Mexican restaurant located at the Muscatine Mall which was formerly located downtown.

Anthony Ash, a Junior at MHS has worked at Chicharos for around eight months and enjoys the family atmosphere. 

“I like working at Chicharos because there is a super chill and relaxed environment,” said Anthony.    

The son of the owners, Cesar Garrido, a Junior at MHS, has been working at Chicharos for five years and really enjoys working with his family. 

“I have not worked anywhere else because my parents own it, and it’s just an easy job for me to have and I get free food,” said Cesar. 

Even though the environment within Chicharos is very relaxed and tight-knit, Anthony shared how he was still scared to ask his boss for his check. 

“One time I was too scared to ask for my check, so I stayed in the restroom for 20 minutes trying to stall,” said Anthony. 

Similarly to Anthony, Cesar shares a funny memory from the old Chicharo’s location. 

“A couple years ago when we had the building on second street, it was one of our last days there and it was super busy. This one worker we had was being annoying, loud, and disrespectful in front of all of our customers and to my parents so I went up to her because I was so annoyed that I basically fired her because she left and never came back,” said Cesar. 

For Anthony, working with his peers is one of the perks of his job. 

“I like the reliability of working with other highschoolers and the easy conversations,” said Anthony. 

Because Cesar has been involved with his family’s business since he was young, he understands the importance of supporting small businesses. 

“I like how supportive people are of local businesses and how different and unique they are from a lot of other things,” said Cesar. 

If Chicharos sparked your interest make sure to stop in and try out Cesar’s favorite meal, “My favorite food from there is a chilaquiles bowl which is cut up tortillas then deep fried and topped with a green or red sauce and a meat of your preference and it has beans, onions, cilantro, and sometimes sour cream,” said Cesar.

Stay tuned for more spotlights on small businesses within Muscatine!