LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — There are a lot of great taco shops throughout the Las Vegas valley, but like many other small businesses, they too could use your business during this pandemic.
At Abuela's Tacos at Sahara Avenue and Lamb Boulevard in the east part of the valley, the name is fitting because owner Leslie Valdes is serving up authentic Mexican tacos in honor of her grandmother.
"Everything's fresh. Everything's handmade. The tortillas are handmade. It's literally grandma's kitchen, like you come in and it's like your grandma making your food for you," said Valdes.
Plus, she offers a few fiery twists like a hot Cheetos taco.
"They crunch hot Cheetos into masa and make it fresh. They make a fresh tortilla out of Cheetos, yeah it's crazy. And then they sprinkle [Cheetos] on top of the tacos. It's super popular. It's a new millenium," said Valdes with a laugh.
But her hot Cheetos tacos alone aren't enough to keep Abuela's afloat during these tough times. Business is down 60 to 70% since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led Leslie to lay off some of her employees, hoping they could at least collect unemployment.
"Unemployment is super behind and so I did lay some of them off, and then they told me, 'Leslie, I'm not getting unemployment.' So, I said, 'forget it, just come back,'" said Valdes.
She was also forced to start offering delivery of her food for the first time.
"That's the only way we're keeping our doors open, honestly, is deliveries," said Valdes.
Now, Valdes is hoping the community can return the favor by supporting small businesses.
"Right now, the mom-and-pop shops, if you can, if you're gonna go out to eat, support us. We need the help, I feel, a little bit more than the big corporate people," said Valdes.
For more information about Abuela's Tacos and to view the menu/place an order, click this link.
A short drive down the road at Sahara and Eastern avenues is Los Antojos, which translates to cravings in English. Los Antojos has been serving authentic Mexican food in the valley for 25 years, but their business is down at least 60%, and employees hours have been cut.
"They are good employees and nobody was ready for this. So, nonetheless, we are still trying to make sure this place is open for the public, and I hope to just give them whatever they need at this point, at least with the food," said Francisco Martinez, the restaurant's manager.
Martinez says the plan is to stick to their scratch recipes, while continuing to serve the community.
"We're just trying to do the best you can at this point and I'm sure we will get through this together," said Martinez.
For more information about Los Antojos and to view the menu, click this link.
