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Located in Central Mexico, the state of Puebla encapsulates a vast history of art, culture, and tradition. Puebla, Mexico is also especially known for its traditional cuisine, rich with savory ingredients and mouthwatering flavors that for centuries have grown from the depths of the region’s nutrient-rich soil. Influenced by the state’s unique combination of Indigenous, Spanish, and European influences over the years, Puebla is recognized as a foodie destination across the globe.

Just over ten years ago, Maribel Rodriguez, left her home in Puebla, Mexico and set out to create a life for herself and her family. Bringing her Puebla culture with her, Maribel with her three children and their grandmother, settled in Bryan, Texas. Little did they know what the next few years would bring.

Unfortunately, life’s tragedies can strike without warning, and five years ago Maribel found herself without a home, food, and no means to provide for her family. It was her motherly instinct, resilience, and determination that then pushed her to turn to what she knew best, to cook.

With her own mother’s vast knowledge of authentic Poblana recipes, Maribel sought out opportunities to cook and sell food as a source of income to sustain her three children and their grandmother. When an opportunity presented itself to start up a Taqueria inside of a local gas station, Maribel continued to work with even more conviction. With her family alongside her, Maribel put every dime towards her supporting her family, not knowing that would evolve into owning her own taqueria.

If she wasn’t cooking, collecting recipes, or sourcing authentic Poblana-based ingredients, Maribel was designing her Taqueria. In the evenings, her children would join her in collecting scrap pallets of wood to then dismantle and re-configure as decor for her kitchen. After two years of cooking and saving, Maribel’s dream came to fruition and she opened Taqueria Poblana, bringing the community of Bryan an authentic taste of Puebla, Mexico.

Despite leaving the comforts of home and venturing into the unknown, Maribel and her mother show perseverance, "Just because we come from another country doesn’t mean we are just immigrants. Just because we are women doesn’t mean we need to be low. We want to rise."

Today, three and a half years after opening, Taqueria Poblana continues to serve traditional Poblana food for the hundreds of hungry patrons that enter their Taqueria each day. To add to its preceding reputation, Taqueria Poblana has even been recognized in Texas Monthly’s Tacopedia.

As the matriarch of their family, Maribel’s mother speaks on the generations of flavors that have been passed down from her own grandmother’s mother and the importance of sourcing traditional ingredients for each of their dishes.

While some may see a taco or enchilada as just meat and cheese, real Poblana food includes so much more. Fresh radishes, cream, avocado, cheese, hand-crafted sauces with ancient spices, and roasted meats are packed into each bite. Refreshing agua frescas are served daily with innovative additions like alpha sprouts, cucumbers, chia seeds, and more. As seasons pass, Taqueria Poblana even adapts their menu and offers home-made tamales, chiles en nogada, and cemitas.

In taking the time to see the exorbitant amount of love and patience it takes to cook the dishes served at Taqueria Poblana, one can’t help but feel like they have been given an honorary seat at the kitchen table of these strong women. And as humbling as Maribel's story is, it's only one of the hundreds in our city.

Visit Taqueria Poblana at 3200 Boonville Road, Bryan, TX 77802

Experience Taqueria Poblana for yourself, on the The Official Bryan, Texas Taco Trail.

The Bryan Taco Trail features dozens of authentic taquerias, Mexican restaurants, and even a few non-traditional & fusion taco offerings. Simply sign up for your digital passport & check in at participating restaurants to start earning prizes. Visit all 44 trail stops to earn a Bryan Taco Trail Champion flag to hang on your wall and a permanent spot on our virtual Bryan Taco Trail Wall of Fame!

Get started on your Bryan Taco Trail adventure today!