El Sabor of success
Thor Morales
Team Okamoto
Story Summary
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Cesar Marin has worked for El Tapatio Mexican restaurant off and on for 26 years. He met the love of his life at the restaurant – Minerva, the owners´ daughter. Together, they bought the restaurant from Minerva's parents three years ago. For the 41-year-old man, known as “El Tucan” in the Latino community, it’s not just about food. It’s about weaving the social fabric of his community starting with his restaurant family largely made of immigrants. Cesar has his hands full carrying on the legacy of the oldest Mexican restaurant in Sedalia. He serves food and shares love one taco at a time. This week all his hard work paid off. El Tapatio received three 2023 Best of Sedalia awards from the Sedalia Democrat newspaper.
Cesar Marin, 41, plays the drum as his staff sings “Las Mañanitas” – a Mexican traditional birthday song – to a customer celebrating her birthday at El Tapatio restaurant on Sept. 26, 2023, in Sedalia, Mo. Cesar owns El Tapatio, which is Sedalia´s oldest Mexican restaurant.
Cesar greets customers and takes their orders at El Tapatio. Cesar, referred to as “El Tucan” in the Latino community, owns the restaurant and enjoys taking care of the customers himself.
Cesar places an order for food at his restaurant. Despite being the owner, Cesar is always willing to do whatever job is necessary.
Cesar pours freshly cooked rice into a tray.
Cesar works on administrative tasks in his office on the second floor of El Tapatio Mexican restaurant. This office provides a place to think clearly, do administrative work and is a peaceful hideout for the 41-year-old restaurant owner.
Cesar balances the books at the oldest Mexican restaurant in town, El Tapatio. Cesar believes in sharing his wealth with the community through donations, fundraisers and in-kind support.
Cesar bursts into laughter after one of his employees tells him a joke about the time his wife burned the beans they were supposed to have for dinner. Cesar is passionate about serving homemade Mexican food and providing the best customer experience.
Cesar enjoys a meal with his father, Juan Marin, during a well-deserved break from working at El Tapatio. Cesar and his parents arrived in Sedalia from California 26 years ago searching for a better life.
El Tapatio Mexican restaurant owner Cesar Marin arrives early in the morning to make sure his business is clean and ready to receive customers on Sept. 29, 2023, in Sedalia, Mo. El Tapatio was established in 1995.
El Tapatio´s owner, Cesar receiving three Best of Sedalia awards given by the Sedalia Democrat newspaper. This year El Tapatio won Best Mexican Food, Best Taco Tuesday and Best Patio awards, making it one of the most awarded restaurants in the city.
After a long day working at El Tapatio, Cesar and his family gather in his dining room to play Mexican train dominos. They often gamble, crack jokes and share funny family stories. Cesar´s daughters, Cecilia and Mia Marin, and his sister, Ruby Marin, keep an eye out to make sure no one is cheating.
Cesar makes sure his daughters, Mia and Cecilia, get ready for school on the morning. Since he and his wife, Minerva, bought El Tapatio Mexican restaurant three years ago, Cesar can’t spend as much time as he would like with their girls.
Cesar waters his yard the morning.
Brian Kratzer, Co-Director
Alyssa Schukar, Co-Director
Hany Hawasly, Technical Director
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