The former owner of Nina’s Taco House in Frandor decided to “give it a
go again” at a new authentic Mexican restaurant with an unforgettable
name:
That Little Mexican Place, 310 North Clippert St.
The restaurant is owned by Lansing native Virginia Valdez, who spends six days a
week, 11 hours per day at her restaurant, time she says is necessary
to get each homemade recipe right. That includes made-to-order
guacamole and enchilada sauce made from scratch.
Behind the cash register hangs dozens of fresh garlic cloves and dried
chilies above a wicker basket full of avocados to back up her claim.
“We make everything fresh here,” Valdez says as she serves up
Wednesday’s wet burrito special. “No canned products. It costs a
little more but the people keep coming back.”
For That Little Mexican Place, it’s a family affair. Two large
paintings done by Valdez’s stepmother adorn the bright orange walls and
one of the other two employees is Valdez’s daughter-in-law.
As a single mother with five children, Valdez concedes that the
restaurant takes up most of her time. However, the consistency is
paying off: Valdez says business is going great despite the economy.
Prices range from $1.50 for a taco to $6.99 for a burrito, and customers can dine in or take out.
Source: Virginia Valdez
Writer: Andy Balaskovitz
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