Lake Street Taco Tour serves up support for local businesses
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A light rain didn't keep taco lovers away from Lake Street on Saturday.
In the early afternoon, people gathered at Mercado Central for local music, arts and a taco eating contest.
After 4 p.m., the party moved over to El Nuevo Campo for games, puppet making and a 5K run.
Along the way, attendees could visit up to 30 different taquerias on Lake Street and collect stamps for a chance to win a prize at the end of the month.
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Rob and Stephanie Liebhart were part of the crowd. Rob even joined in the taco eating contest, though he missed a chance at finishing in the top three.
"We’ve done the taco tour a few times. We’ve lived along Lake Street for about 10 years,” he said.
The mood overall was festive, but patrons still felt the impact of Operation Metro Surge — when ICE agents conducted aggressive immigration enforcement in Minnesota last winter.
This year, the event is focused on promoting solidarity with the business community.
"I always say, it takes all of us to see them into the future, and if we want to see them in the next month, we really need to be intentional with our money and shop at our local stores," Lake Street Council's senior community engagement manager ZoeAna Martinez told MPR.
The event has been a staple for the community, but after the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil uprising following the murder of George Floyd, it took a hiatus but returned this year.
Then, after Operation Metro surge, some businesses were forced to temporarily or permanently close their doors as Lake Street and surrounding communities were a target of the Trump administration's immigration policies.
"Our entrepreneurs just are so resilient,” Martinez said. “[They] continue to face barriers year after year. [They’re] continuing to figure out ways to really pivot their business and adapt.”
"These are families that live here that have come here to make lives for themselves and support their families, and a lot of times it's through entrepreneurship."
The stops included Marsu Pizzeria and Taqueria, a few doors down from Mercado Central. Luis Martinez is the owner of Marsu. The tour kept him busy all day, with a line of people all the way to the door.
"I like this promotion for the Taco Tour. I like all the new people trying the tacos on Lake Street," Luis Martinez said.
During Operation Metro Surge, Martinez said, Minnesotans supported businesses like his.
He said he's trying to keep his prices down for as long as possible. But he still faces the same challenges as any other small business owner: rising supply costs, tariffs and fuel prices.
Back at Mercado Central, Rob and Stephanie Liebhart said they'd love to see even more support for immigrant-owned businesses and restaurants that serve authentic cuisine.
"I don't know if there's a way to do a falafel tour and pita tour and highlight Middle Eastern-type restaurants,” Rob said.
“They used to have a dumpling tour, I think,” Stephanie added. “They used to do that. But they haven't in a few years."
But for these local businesses, what makes the difference comes down to whether the community keeps coming back for more.
