We had the good fortune of connecting with Oscar Hernandez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Oscar, how does your business help the community?
For us at Tacombi, it’s always been important to support and be present in our local communities. We call our taquerias “Neighbourhood Taquerias” and strive to share Mexican hospitality with our guests and neighbors. During the Sandy storm, we were able to stay open and offer free meals to the community around us. When large earthquakes hit Mexico we conducted an amazing fundraising, DOMINGO DE BARBACOA, in order to support victims and help with rebuilding amongst the communities affected. Lastly, when COVID hit, we saw the necessity to address food insecurity by providing delicious meals to people in need. We created The Tacombi Foundation with the help of all of our team Members, from our HQ office to our taquerias. Through The Tacombi Community Kitchen, we’ve provided upwards of 600,000 meals to the communities our Taquerias are present in, and look forward to growing that number!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, and my love for my country and local cuisine started at a very young age, with trips to the local market with my parents to shop for the freshest ingredients, to special moments in the kitchen, where we’d often cook many meals together. I then moved to New York for college and followed my passion for the hospitality industry working at Gabriela’s, a neighborhood Mexican eatery, and then went on to work with award winning chef Aaron Sanchez. Wanting to get back to my roots, I partnered with Dario Wolos to open the first Tacombi location 13 years ago. As Tacombi’s Culinary Director & Master Taquero, I lead menu and recipe development and incorporates his take on classic Mexican dishes into the menu.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Here are a few of the spots I regularly visit and enjoy every time: – I always start my morning with a cold brew and oat milk from Panther Coffee
– Either for Brunch on the Weekend or just to Pick Up, getting a few Baguettes from Zack The baker are always a good idea
– When it’s time for a cocktail, the Disco Ball at Dante HiFi is a must – it’s a delightful Mezcal cocktail
– Lastly, a great place to have Dinner with Friends is at one of the outdoor tables at the Drexel: Great Food and Great Hospitality !

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been working in the restaurant business for more than 25 years and have been lucky to meet many people who have inspired me to continue down this path; but the reality is that throughout my time working at Tacombi, especially these last few years, I could not be more proud and inspired by all of the hard work of my fellow Tacombi Team members. The passion and the care for our employees and guests, particularly during very difficult COVID times, have been both humbling and uplifting. I want to give them a huge shoutout as they have my maximum respect!

Website: https://www.tacombi.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacombi/?hl=en

Image Credits
Tacombi

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