Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Mireles.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Michelle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My parents have been in the restaurant business for many years in West Texas serving traditional Tex Mex. Having many relatives in Mexico and visiting there often coupled with family and myself suffering from food allergies my desire to bring a more health forward organic version of Mexican food was born. Also, practicing yoga for many years and taking up spin classes and hiking also deeply influenced me spiritually. I quickly learned what you eat on a daily basis is a large part of caring for our mind body and soul. I was intrigued by all the health forward places in Tulum Mexico, Mexico City, California, Colorado and many other places. I put all those experiences and my family restaurant business to work and created Lalas Mexican Cafe. I was on a mission to rid of the usual not so good for you suspects affiliated with not only Mexican restaurants but with all types of cuisines(we use no lard, refined sugars or canola oil). From there, my menu includes much organics as possible, non-GMO grains, organic margaritas, salsas made fresh daily, real Mexican cheese, grass-fed beef, organic and pasture raised chicken and eggs. We have always had many plant-based, soy-free vegan and vegetarian options but now, we have so many we created a whole separate menu for our veggie loving friends. I look forward to the new location(s).
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, not a smooth road at all! We had to spend a lot of time informing and educating people why our prices where slightly higher and why we were selling health forward Organic Mexican in the 1st place. With Dallas being a predominately Tex Mex city, we had to win people over by sampling food and letting them see and taste for themselves that it looked the same tasted better because it was made with fresh ingredients and omitting the bad stuff. The win over also took place as people began to realize that they did not feel bloated or lethargic as they did eating at the other places. It was a lot of legwork and ruffling some feathers but at the end of the day, we won over many of the naysayers and we will continue to do so every day. Our mission is to bring clean real food to all that taste better and is better for you.
Please tell us about Lala’s Mexican Cafe.
We specialize in Mexican food made with only the best ingredients. We do offer organic corn tortillas and corn chips but for our grain-free friends, we have Jicama tortillas (best for tacos) made with only Jicama and chips made with the only Jicama. Also, another grain free option is on our enchiladas we have zucchini wrapped enchiladas made only with zucchini then stuffed with Mexican cheese and your option of veggies and or meats. Our salsas are all made fresh daily nothing from a can. We offer on our plates with beans and rice options for those who do not eat beans and rice we offer our Verde riced broccoli (grain-free, think cauliflower rice but better). We also offer Quinoa rice and a salad of spinach/green leaf with a Mexican Chia seed vinaigrette to sub instead of beans and rice. Our beans are not made with lard they are olive oil based. Our rice is brown rice with Mexican seasoning. Our Queso Blanco is made only with arrowroot powder and Mexican cheese blend. Where most quesos made by others are made with a milk and flour rue. The house margarita is Skinny and Organic! You can get it frozen. It’s made with organic Lemon and Lime cold-pressed juice and Dulce Vida organic Tequila and a non-GMO triple sec. I am most proud of our customers and community that has appreciated our efforts because it was not easy sourcing everything and coming together with the recipes but it sure was fun.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Lala was my maternal grandmother and my restaurant is named after her. I recall her making a large pot of soup (Caldo de Rez) and on Sundays going over to her house and eating on her large dinner table with all my mom’s sisters and brothers almost all of them there was 13 total (a few lived out of town). Afterwards, my grandfather would play the harmonica. So many great memories but that is one of my favorites.
Contact Info:
- Address: Lalas Mexican Cafe
6030 Luther Lane Suite 140
Dallas (University Park), Texas 75225 - Website: lalasmexicancafedallas.us
- Phone: 469-206-7141
- Email: lalasmexcafe@gmail.com
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