When you crave Mexican food, you don’t want the drive-thru under-seasoned beans slapped onto a tortilla; you want the real taste of Mexico that El Potrero offers. While El Potrero has been a mid-Michigan staple since 2004, the story behind how it came to be is what gives it its flair and authenticity, making it a local favorite.

It all began in the early ’90s when a family of 8 made the journey from Jalisco, Mexico, to the US in search of the American dream. They settled in Nashville, TN, and called it home for the next decade. In Nashville, the family begins to work in the many extended family restaurant businesses. They found much success in Nashville, but they began to expand their skills to other locations.

Greg, the eldest of the six children, made his way to Ohio to work for an uncle’s restaurant in the area. He loved working for his family but always knew that God had much more planned for him. While still in Ohio, he decided to drive north until he ended up in Flint, MI. Flint wasn’t his destination, but he could just feel all of the opportunity and need for delicious Mexican food when he stopped there. So, in late 2003 Greg packed his bags and moved to Flint with his wife. With no family or connections, this was a significant risk. However, Greg was confident. He had his restaurant business knowledge, a hard work ethic, ambition, and family recipes, which he used to open his first restaurant in 2004! The very first El Potrero opened on Dort Hwy, which later relocated to Fenton Rd.

The quality service and food made the restaurant a great success. The patrons loved El Potrero and wanted more! Due to the demand, Greg was able to have his siblings join him in Michigan to open an additional 4 locations across mid-Michigan. Each site offering the beautifully authentic Mexican ambiance featuring décor brought straight from Mexico or handmade by Greg himself. There is now an El Potrero in Flint, Grand Blanc, Mount Morris, Owosso, and Swartz Creek. All are offering the same delicious food, desserts, and drinks.

We hope to continue growing the El Potrero business and to bring the real taste of Mexico to as many people as we can. Still, we will do it slowly to not sacrifice quality and maintain the strong family values that have kept us going.

The place where Greg came to with no family is now home, and his family is beyond measure as all of the El Potrero employees and regular patrons are like a big family.