Miguel Jimenez, the owner of Tacos Y Tortas Adrian, a beloved local eatery known for its authentic Mexican street food, has announced ambitious plans to expand his business into a franchise. Starting from humble beginnings, Jimenez has built a reputation for serving genuine Mexican street tacos and tortas that resonate with the flavors of his upbringing in Tamaulipas, Mexico. His journey from a gas station taco stand to multiple stand-alone restaurants in the Katy area is a testament to the popularity and quality of his Adrian’s Mexican street food.
Jimenez modestly credits himself with introducing authentic Mexican street tacos to Katy. “I am not saying I started it, I am just saying I was the first one in Katy to sell street tacos,” Jimenez explained. “And then it started catching on.” He emphasizes that Tacos Y Tortas Adrian is dedicated to serving real street food, distinctly different from Tex-Mex cuisine. “This is what you find on the streets,” he states, highlighting the authenticity of his offerings. “But sometimes it’s not going to be healthy—which makes it better. It’s very authentic.”
Growing up in Katy after moving from Tamaulipas, Mexico, Jimenez’s passion for tacos began at a young age. By 13, he knew he wanted to be in the taco business. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to approach the owner of a local K K Food Mart gas station on Pin Oak Road, seeking permission to sell tacos there. This marked the inception of his venture into Adrian’s Mexican street food. The Pin Oak location became a launchpad for his success, with the demand for his street tacos quickly outgrowing the gas station setting.
Mexican street tacos, as Jimenez describes, are characterized by their smaller size compared to Tex-Mex tacos and their simple yet flavorful composition: meat-filled corn tortillas topped with onions and cilantro. “It was something different, and people went crazy,” he recalls, describing the initial reaction to his authentic street tacos. From the initial success at the gas station, Jimenez expanded to operate from four gas station kitchens across the Katy area. However, as his popularity grew, customer demand evolved.
Recognizing the changing needs of his clientele, Jimenez transitioned from gas station kitchens to stand-alone restaurants. “We were closing down not because we needed customers, but because people were demanding to eat in cleaner places, [and] they wanted to sit down with their families,” he explained. Currently, Tacos Y Tortas Adrian operates three stand-alone locations: in Brookshire off FM 359, and two Katy locations on Westgreen and Katy Mills boulevards. “The Katy customers have always been very supportive,” Jimenez acknowledges, expressing gratitude for the local community’s embrace of his Adrian’s Mexican street food.
Jimenez is keen to differentiate authentic Mexican food from Tex-Mex, noting significant differences in dishes like enchiladas. His traditional enchiladas, fried and served with meat on the side, stand in contrast to the Tex-Mex versions laden with chile sauce and cheese sauce. “The enchiladas with the chile sauce and the cheese sauce? You’ll never find that in Mexico,” he asserts, emphasizing the authenticity of his menu. Looking ahead, Jimenez is actively planning to open another location in the Katy area and is in the process of franchising Tacos Y Tortas Adrian. “I am always thinking what to do next, I am here for the long run,” he concludes, signaling his ongoing commitment to bringing Adrian’s Mexican street food to a wider audience.
