Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristal Estudiante.
Hi Cristal, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started back in 2020 when the pandemic hit. So many of my friends have told me for years I needed to sell my food as I would just give them away when I happen to make too much. Growing up as the baby in a family of 6 I only learned to make large quantities at a time from my mom. haha!
Once the pandemic hit, I had to return a ton of deposits to customers from my cake business Sugar and Pipe as people were unable to host large parties. This put me into high gear, and I decided to start selling tacos.
Birria tacos were all the rage on TikTok at the time, so I came up with my own recipe after watching several videos.
I started with just tacos and after a few months added rice and beans with the help of my mom.
2.5 years later here we are with over 12 food items in rotation.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth ride as there is always great competition. Having a business where the market is so saturated with many other amazing cooks/chefs doing the same as you, I am constantly looking for ways to set myself apart.
There are days I’ve sold nothing and was extremely discouraged. There are also days I’ve sold way more than I initially anticipated.
Regardless I have learned the food service industry takes a lot of passion and patience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been called The Birria Taco Lady, The Taco Plug, The Taco Queen, The All Food Plug…
I am very well known for my Birria Tacos but, take pride in providing more than just tacos though.
On my menu you will find Birria Ramen, Tortas. Burritos, Quesadillas. Eggrolls. Burgers. Nachos, Loaded Potatoes, Mini Taco Nachos… You name it I will try to put Birria on it!!
I’m most proud of being able to stay creative with what is offered and keeping it interesting.
My flavors will always set me apart. I learned the importance of adding your own flare to your food some time ago. People remember you for it later. So many of my customers say they “can taste the love” in my food and that’s that extra flare I add to mine.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Definitely packing up into the car/van with my parents and brother Sean heading to my grandparents’ house for Thanksgiving. I remember being able to stay up late with my grandmother and mom while they talked, cleaned, chopped, and do all of the prepping for the following day.
I was always on “stir” duty “just keep stirring so it doesn’t burn Mija” my grandmother would say. It always made me feel like I was really contributing. ha! I learned so much from watching my family cook, especially during the holidays.
Being in the kitchen reminds me of being with family and since we aren’t able to do this anymore with my grandmother now living in another state, I always carry those memories with me to remind me where my passion comes from.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBirriaPlug
