When Paulina Martinez reflects on the journey that brought Sabores Mexicanos to life, she smiles at the serendipity of it all. “It wasn’t really my dream—it was his,” she says, referring to her husband, a veteran of restaurant kitchens who spent over 20 years behind the scenes, often overworked and undervalued. But what started as his vision quickly became her passion, and together, the couple transformed a love for authentic Mexican food into a thriving family business in Enfield, Connecticut.
The journey began humbly. “We started by selling tacos from home,” Paulina recalls. The food was so good, so heartfelt, that customers kept urging them to open a physical location. Encouraged by the growing demand, they upgraded to a food truck, cooking all summer long across Glastonbury, Litchfield, and Manchester. Yet with each event, one challenge persisted—they needed a kitchen of their own.
Renting commercial kitchen space quickly became unsustainable. So, the couple took a leap of faith and decided to open a restaurant. Paulina had always dreamed of owning a small grocery store as a child growing up in Mexico. But in America, her dream evolved into a place where culture and community could come together.
They found their dream location—a red brick building in a quiet residential area—and fell in love. But renovations and startup costs quickly outpaced their expectations. “We were stuck,” Paulina says. “We didn’t know if we could open. We had no more budget left.”
That’s when they found CEDF. Through the support of the Community Economic Development Fund, Paulina and her husband secured critical financing to complete the restaurant and open their doors in June 2024. “We were already at zero,” she remembers. “But CEDF helped us finish what we started. Without them, we wouldn’t be here.”
Beyond financing, Paulina praises the team at CEDF for being more than just lenders. “Our business advisor helped us with everything—from hiring a bartender to finding a server. She really went above and beyond.”
Today, Sabores Mexicanos is a family-friendly staple in Enfield, known not only for its delicious food but for the warmth that fills every corner. “The neighborhood is mostly older and low-income residents, and we’ve become a bright spot. We take care of our space, and I think it helps the community feel proud too.”
Running both the food truck and restaurant is no easy task, especially with three young children at home. Paulina admits there were moments of doubt, especially when short on staff or buried in paperwork. But through each challenge, she kept going. “You just work it out,” she says. “You don’t give up.”
Sabores Mexicanos is already catering events and taking reservations for larger parties. Paulina is proud of how far they’ve come and grateful for the community that supported them.
To other aspiring entrepreneurs, Paulina offers heartfelt advice: “Don’t be afraid. Have your vision, and plan carefully. If you’re passionate and persistent, one day you’ll look back and be proud of what you built.” Thanks to grit, love, and the right support at the right time, Sabores Mexicanos is more than a restaurant—it’s a story of family, perseverance, and delicious success.