ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) – There’s nothing quite like a meal that reminds you of home, and for Santiago Figaredo, he gets to cook up those meals every day that make him reminisce.
Figaredo is a Mexico City, Mexico native who has lived in the Tri-Cities for more than 15 years. He’s been sharing his culture through food with the community for a large chunk of that time.
He made a name for himself in Southwest Virginia when he opened Figaredo’s, a restaurant in Abingdon. He ran the restaurant for over a decade until Covid-19 hit. With staffing struggles and industry changes, he decided it was time to take his meals to-go by opening a food truck.
The San Taco food truck has been open for around three years and is branded as Mexican Street Food, yet very different from your average Mexican restaurant. Figaredo said most existing establishments in the region feature more of a Tex-Mex style.
“I always wanted to open something more authentic, being from Mexico. We have dishes like carnitas, barbacoa, pastor and tinga. Dishes I grew up with since I was a kid,” Figaredo said. “People came asking for the chimichanga, the burrito, the enchilada, whatever it be, and we don’t want to get into that type of food.”
He’s cooking up the recipes he ate as a child while sharing his love of cooking with his five kids who also help him run the truck.
Figaredo said helping with the truck teaches important life lessons and connects them with the people around them.
“To me, customer service is the cooking, talking to the customers and getting to know them. We have people who follow us and are always looking for where we’re going to be,” Figaredo said.
Everything is made fast and fresh, with cooking from scratch key, according to Figaredo. However, his need for specific fresh ingredients can sometimes pose problems when it comes to gathering ingredients.
Figaredo said he’s seen the Tri-Cities open up a little more to the international market over time, which makes shopping a little easier.
“I’m surprised when I go to the store now compared to 15 years ago and find fruits, vegetables, even candies and sweets and treats,” he said.
Figaredo told News Channel 11 the most rewarding part of running the truck is working with his family, sharing his culture and seeing people open up their minds to new flavors.
“When you cook for somebody and that somebody is happy and thankful and they like it, that’s the best reward,” Figaredo said.
Figaredo isn’t ruling out opening another restaurant in the future. For now, the San Taco truck rolls on and you can find where it will be next by following its social media pages.