Fairfield residents Juan Carlos and Yadira Lozano were born, raised and educated in Monterrey Mexico, but were unaware of each other’s existence. Juan Carlos graduated in Mexico with a CPA and Auditor certification before moving to Houston and receiving his Texas CPA certification.
“It was my cousin in Mexico that introduced me to his good friend and coworker, Yadira.” The two corresponded via e-mail and by phone, before Juan Carlos finally drove to Monterrey to meet her in person. It was February when Juan Carlos decided to propose. How romantic it must have been to arrive on her birthday with mariachis, and ask for her hand in marriage! The couple married the following month in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
In Houston, Juan Carlos returned to school, with his father paying the private college tuition. “Anything else I wanted was coming from my pocket. I love to have fun and travel, so I always worked at hamburger joints and taquerias.”
“My entrepreneurial instincts pushed me to open one of my own. Me and my cousin Hugo purchased a small street taco stand, which we ran only at night and by ourselves, making good bucks for two teenagers. We had a blast, but college was getting harder and of course, top priority, so we gave up and closed it.”
Lozano’s desire to open a restaurant had not been quenched. “I wanted to give all of the diverse cultures that live in the Houston Metro the opportunity to taste and experience real Mexican food and hospitality.” Tacoland in Cypress is Lozano’s first restaurant. His goal is to open more, eventually franchise, and “…one day go to Wall Street and make it public.” Juan Carlos encourages his employees to have a voice in the restaurant. “We all taste new things, and give our opinions. I travel to Mexico a lot, where I bring ideas on new items,” explains Lozano.
Yadira and Juan Carlos have three children, all of whom live at home. Emilio, 21, is a junior at the University of Houston, studying Kinesiology. He loves playing soccer, and recently joined the Gymnastics Club at UH. He enjoys living in Fairfield, as “…everyone seems to have the same core values.” Max, 19, is a freshman at Lone Star, and aspires to be a psychologist. He is the artist, and loves drawing, painting and music.
Sofia, 15, is a sophomore at Bridgeland High School, and plans to attend Texas A&M University. A lover of animals, she is debating on becoming either a pediatrician or a vet. She enjoys gymnastics, cheer, tumbling, and Christian music. Sofia is cognizant that the children have always been her parents’ priority. “My dad working hard gives my mom the chance to always take care of us.” The family’s three dogs round out the Lozano household.
“The challenges associated with the restaurant success have only served to bring us (our family) closer, stronger, and with a huge appreciation to hard work, doing things right, treating employees and customers with respect,” asserts Juan Carlos. “My boys work on weekends at the front, with support to the kitchen. Sofia takes care of the register, helps me with all social media, and decorations for the restaurant. She also makes the cookies and brownies we sell. During the week, my wife works the front, and supports the kitchen. She also helps me with purchasing and payroll,” explains Lozano. Max feels that he is lucky to be a part of the family business. “My dad is very happy doing it, so that is a good thing, and I also get to meet a lot of nice and interesting people.”
How do restauranteurs manage in the kitchen at home and when they dine out? “My wife cooks at home, day to day. I cook the weekend grill options, always using the kitchen as our lab for new sauces. I am into hot peppers; we have an organic garden at home for over nine different peppers,” explains Juan Carlos. “In Cypress, we try every small business restaurant. We love all kinds of food, from breakfast crepes, to a quiet dinner with my wife and I. We always try to support the ‘mom and pop’ establishments; we stay away from the chains and fast food.”
As busy as they are, the Lozano family cherishes memories of traveling together. “It gives us the opportunity to stay together for a few days straight. We love the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last year, on Christmas Day, we attended a game there. Also, we all share a passion for theater, so going to New York Broadway is also something we have done as family,” shares Dad.
In addition to his restaurant business, Lozano is also a partner in an oil and gas company. “I have been with this company for 21 years. We sell oilfield drilling equipment. It has given me the opportunity to travel the world and create a vast network of excellent people in the industry,” he comments.
What will 2018 bring for the Lozano family? “Our New Year’s Resolutions are always spirit based. We want to get closer to our Church, Community of Faith, and get closer as family. We also (want to) try to help more the less fortunate people in this world, especially within our community.”
