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| Hector and Maria Villarreal |
One could say that Amigos co-founder Hector Villarreal has always been a cook at heart. And not long after meeting Hector and his family you will feel like you are part of their family with a warm welcome, service, and food.
While still employed at McLouth Steel in Trenton, Michigan, Hector’s chili found its first following. As a personal favorite hot lunch (and we do mean hot!), folks became attracted to the delicious, enticing aroma. At the request of many of his co-workers, Hector became a chili vendor.
Meanwhile, his father, Moises Villarreal, was discovering his own success when he started selling tacos in a small booth at the Trenton Street Fair. The recipe belongs to his wife, Maria Villarreal. Armed with enough seasoned beef and shells for about 50 tacos, Moises was completely out of stock by the end of the first hour, and he rushed home for a larger batch.
Hector as a young family man became unemployed when his employer went out of business. Fortunately his love for cooking sparked an idea: what if he could open a small restaurant serving the foods he so loves to cook?
But one rather large problem loomed: acquiring the necessary the funds.
For every problem there is a solution. He sold his home and lived with his parents, who took out a second mortgage on their own home, to generate the money needed for their new beginning.
In 1983 they leased an 800 square-foot building at the corner of Vreeland and Fort Street and converted it into a restaurant that seated only 27 people. The entire family (parents, five siblings, and grandma) took part in the venture working together in all-day shifts.
“Good Friends and Good Food.”
So much pride went into the preparation of the food that their original slogan on the small menu read, “It takes a little longer to serve you because we make it fresh”. The public responded to the high quality Tex-Mex recipes, and soon the restaurant was thriving.
After only a few years the “little place” -- as it was affectionately referred to -- was too little to serve its growing customer base. That success resulted in the opening of a second restaurant in Taylor on the corner of Pennsylvania and Allen roads.
In August 2000 the Taylor store moved to the corner of Eureka and Allen roads due to the success if found in Taylor. The newest location boasts 5,600 square feet, a seating capacity of 125 people, and has a small banquet room that seats 36 people.
The family-style restaurant, which serves no alcohol, was one of the first in Michigan to adopt a non-smoking policy throughout. It serves some of the best family-developed Tex-Mex recipes in the Downriver area at a price that is hard to beat.
Amigo’s Makes it Fresh
Amigo’s offers many services including fundraising opportunities, full catering of Mexican and American cuisines, local delivery, corporate and paramedical lunches, and of course, dine-in and carry=out.
“Amigo’s considers its staff as family, most of our employees never leave,” says Hector Villarreal. “We give them freedom to manage themselves, to allow people to grow, and be more responsible. At times like these, it is especially important to be aware and that service remains at top performance. Come on in and give us a try.”
The outside building updates are almost complete. Once the outside is complete, it will undergo updates to the lounge and dining area.
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