Fulfilling a Dream

In a small rural town southwest of Mexico City, life revolved around family, tradition, and the kitchen table. Long before they became owners of Santa Catarina Mexican Restaurant, Francisco Cortez and Jesus Hernandez spent their childhoods helping their families milk cows, gather eggs, herd livestock, and harvest herbs and spices from the land around them. The work was hard, but the lessons were lasting.  

Meals in their hometown were never rushed. Mothers and grandmothers prepared recipes passed down through generations while children worked alongside them, learning not only how to cook, but how food could bring people together. Family gatherings, celebrations, and community events almost always centered around the kitchen.  

“Food was connection,” Jesus shares. “It was how people showed love, hospitality, and care for one another.” Though they could not have known it at the time, those experiences would eventually shape the foundation of the restaurants they would one day build together in Austin.  

While their upbringing was rich in culture and tradition, opportunities were limited. Francisco remembers watching his parents work tirelessly just to provide basic necessities for the family. Some mornings, even eggs were scarce, and his mother would stretch meals by mixing vegetables into a few eggs so breakfast felt fuller for everyone around the table.  

As teenagers, both made the difficult decision to leave Mexico and come to the United States in search of opportunity and a better future. Francisco, being the older cousin, arrived first, and Jesus followed years later. When Francisco arrived in Austin, he found work in various restaurants, learning all about the Austin food scene.  

Jesus had dreams of going to university in Mexico, but it was financially out of reach, so coming to the United States seemed like the right thing to do. When he arrived in America, he relied on his cousin to help him find work. Together they worked hard, but, at the same time, they had a dream to one day open a restaurant of their own that reflected the food, warmth, and traditions they grew up with in Mexico.  

Chasing a Dream 

That dream became reality in December 2010 when Francisco and Jesus opened the first Santa Catarina Mexican Restaurant location in Lakeway. The early years were anything but easy. Hidden inside a strip mall and funded through personal savings, the restaurant struggled to gain traction. Many diners were more familiar with traditional Tex-Mex cuisine than the authentic regional Mexican dishes Santa Catarina offered. For nearly two years, the restaurant fought simply to stay afloat.  

Francisco and Jesus refused to give up. They remained committed to the authentic flavors, quality ingredients, and the kind of hospitality they grew up with in Mexico. Slowly, word began to spread, and Santa Catarina developed a loyal following. Customers came not only for the food, but also for the atmosphere and experience. In 2016, they expanded with a second location, continuing to refine the brand while staying true to the traditions that inspired it from the beginning.  

Then in 2024, they opened their newest location right near Mueller on Manor Road in Cherrywood. The restaurant reflects years of growth and vision. Francisco and Jesus personally designed the space, blending modern aesthetics with the warmth and soul of the Mexican hospitality they remembered from home. That connection to family remains deeply woven into every aspect of Santa Catarina.  

Many menu items are inspired directly by recipes and techniques learned from their mothers and grandmothers in Mexico. Traditional ingredients such as guajillo and ancho chiles, achiote seeds, huitlacoche, fresh herbs, and agave nectar appear throughout the menu, alongside fresh seafood and carefully sourced ingredients. For Francisco and Jesus, cooking with fresh ingredients is not about trends or marketing. It is simply the way they were taught food should be prepared. Even the restaurant’s fresh cocktails draw inspiration from their upbringing. The mezcal and aged tequila offerings reflect memories of traditional Mexican cantinas where family and friends gathered to share stories, laughter, drinks, and meals.  

But beyond the food itself, Francisco and Jesus believe hospitality is what truly defines Santa Catarina. “When guests came to our homes in Mexico, they were welcomed immediately,” they explain. “Our fathers offered drinks, our mothers and grandmothers prepared food, and everyone gathered together. There was always a sense of warmth and care.” That spirit remains the heartbeat of the restaurant. From the moment guests walk through the doors, the goal is for them to feel not like customers, but like family.  

A Bright Future 

Even the restaurant’s name itself carries special meaning. Santa Catarina translates to “Saint Ladybug,” inspired by a belief from their hometown that a ladybug landing on you brings good luck and prosperity. Today, hidden ladybugs can be found throughout all three restaurant locations, serving as quiet reminders of where the journey began and the faith that perseverance and hard work can create opportunity.  

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Francisco and Jesus reflect on their own journey with gratitude. For them, America represents possibility. They arrived as teenagers with little more than determination, family values, and the lessons learned in their hometown kitchens. Through years of sacrifice and persistence, they built careers, became American citizens, raised families, and created a successful restaurant brand rooted in their heritage.  

Jesus even fulfilled his dream of attending the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied civil engineering while raising a family with his wife and children. Francisco achieved his dream of becoming a business owner, creating opportunities for future generations of his family. His children have graduated from universities, including the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.  

Their story reflects a version of the American Dream that feels especially meaningful this year. Like our nation, it was not built overnight, but through resilience, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to honoring where they came from while building something new for the future.