AMESBURY — After serving his new country while in the Army, a man and his family are fulfilling the American dream after opening their restaurant, Casa Maria Tacos & Tequila, a few weeks ago.
“I got four siblings and then myself, which is five, and my dad and my mom, we have all been working and painting to make the restaurant look like a Mexican restaurant,” co-owner Juan Corona said.
Corona’s family came from Mexico four years ago. He now lives in Plymouth.
“We are trying, we are learning, and we are trying to be successful here in the U.S.,” Corona said.
After spending his first three years serving in the military, Corona spent the last year focused on establishing the family business at 37 Main St.
“We looked in three places before Amesbury and then we came there,” he said.
The community has been very welcoming since the family celebrated the grand opening March 29, Corona said.
“People seem to really like it, we have been super busy,” he said.
Folks have been more than eager to gush about the city’s newest Mexican restaurant, including Carol Bartlett, secretary for school Superintendent Elizabeth McAndrews.
“I loved it,” Bartlett said. “The only thing was it was so busy, but I think considering they are doing so much and they’re all new, they did the best they could and I don’t really have any complaints.”
She said it was her daughter’s reaction that really surprised her, describing her as a Mexican food sob.
“My daughter, who lived in San Diego and who also lived in York (Maine), she knows good Mexican food and she just raved about it. She just thought it was amazing,” Bartlett said.
Others have taken to praising the new restaurant on Facebook.
“Great, family-owned business. We’ve been twice already. Food and service is excellent. It’s been full at dinnertime every night since they’ve opened. Tremendous addition to downtown Amesbury,” former School Committee member Mel Webster wrote on Facebook.
Many who posted were fans of the drinks offered.
“They knocked it out of the park! My group ordered a variety of drinks, and each was better than the next – I loved the skinny coconut margarita and the flight the best. I will 100% be back with friends and family for another moms’ night out and/or dinner/takeout with the fam,” Peggy Green wrote.
On top of being embraced by the community, Corona praised the city for helping him to get the business operating.
“The town is very nice. I came to the mayor and her secretary, it was really helpful. Anytime that I have questions, they answer right away, they contact me with the right people for the inspections and everything,” Corona said, referring to Mayor Kassandra Gove.
Speaking about the history of his family, Corona explained how they decided on the restaurant’s name.
“It comes from my grandma,” Corona said.
He encourages people to keep an eye out for changes to the restaurant’s website.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.