The Woman Who Started It All

Maria "Nena" Arechiga grew up in Culver City with her family, consisting of 11 siblings, a father who was a gardener, and a mother who was mostly a stay-at-home mom but also worked part-time cleaning homes. Her mother, whom we call Mamalicha, would prepare Papa's, her father, lunch, which would usually consist of potatoes and eggs, wrapped in fresh, handmade flour tortillas. Our mother would tell us how she would look forward to the days when her father would bring home leftovers and share them with her.

Fast forward to her opening Tacos Villa Corona, located in Atwater Village in Los Angeles. She began serving the more traditional Mexican foods such as tortas, sopes, tacos, tostadas, and burritos. During the slow start of her business, she prayed and reflected on the treasured memories with her father and the delicious food they would share. She was inspired by God to bring those cherrished memories of her father's burritos to the menu, hence the creation of our Papas Burrito. Our mother truly credited God for those memories and inspirations that led to her success.