Leal’s Mexican Restaurants Are Family Tradition
Published Sep 15, 2008
Fajitas and margaritas are among the specialities at Leal’s.
When you eat at one of Leal’s Mexican Restaurants, you’re doing more than enjoying a tasty meal – you’re honoring a family tradition.
It all started with Jesse and Irma Leal, newlyweds living and saving for their first home in Muleshoe. But as they settled into the community, they recognized a need for traditional Mexican food sparked by the influx of “braceros” – Mexican citizens brought here to work the local farms.
In 1957, the enterprising young couple decided to use their savings to open a small tortilla factory rather than buy a house. Soon they expanded to offer home-style favorites such as huevos rancheros and tamales, and later they opened a full restaurant to meet the growing demand for their recipes.
“The farmers would drop off their workers to grab a bite to eat while they waited out in the truck,” says son Victor Leal. “My father would bring a plate out to them, and, of course, they loved it. Before you know it, the farmers started bringing their wives along to try this new food. At that time, most people didn’t know anything about Mexican food, so I feel like our family really helped educate the local population.”
Today, the Leal name is synonymous with outstanding Mexican food and great customer service. The company operates four restaurants in Texas (including Muleshoe, Amarillo and Plainview in The High Ground) and two in New Mexico, as well as the original tortilla factory and a thriving retail business – all managed by Leal family members.
“We grew up with it,” says Victor Leal, who in his adult life has served as mayor of Muleshoe. “Some of my earliest memories are of delivering tortillas with my dad or working behind the counter with my mom. All six of us kids are involved in some way or another, and we are proud of what we’ve accomplished. We just celebrated our 51st anniversary in May (2008), and we continue to grow.”
Various kinds of Leal’s salsa and tortilla chips can be ordered from www.lealsmexicanfoods.com.
Story by Amy Stumpfl
Photo by Brian McCord
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