Editor’s Note: Wow, we were overwhelmed with the response to our first contest honoring independent Mexican restaurant owners. We received nearly 700 nominations! It was difficult choosing the winners, but in the end these three topped the rest. They were chosen by a panel of four judges: Lilly Rocha, CEO of the Latino Restaurant Association; Eric Delamare, director of marketing, Novamex; Kathleen Furore, editor of el Restaurante; and Ed Avis, publisher of el Restaurante.
Second Place: Martha Ortega, El Cochinito Contento, Fresno, CA
The adjectives customers use to describe Martha Ortega, owner of El Cochinito Contento in Fresno, California all have a similar tone: welcoming, kind, generous, compassionate. It’s no surprise that somebody that warm and beloved, who also is highly praised for her delicious Mexican cuisine, was nominated for the Jarrito’s/el Restaurante Independent Mexican Restaurant Owner of the Year Contest by 26 people! Ortega won second place in the contest.
“Martha is the community mom, or Tia. She openly gives so much more than just food — she provides a sense of pride and love in a community,” wrote customer Ivette Lopez in her nomination of Ortega. “From always donating food and cash to organizations, being supportive for outside endeavors for their employees, and even donating to a local non-profit radio station that lives just a few blocks down the road, Martha and El Cochinito have enriched many lives through their love of Mexican cuisine and a love of their people, period.”
Ortega and her husband Roy opened the restaurant in 1991, and they have been committed to serving great food and the community ever since.
“I like to help the community,” Ortega says. “I’ve been doing that for many years. Every time they ask me for something, I do it for them. The California Highway Patrol, the Fresno PD, and lots of other places. Every time they say, ‘Martha, can you help us?’ I say, ‘Sure, what do you need?’”
One of the nominations came from Sgt. Armando Hindman of the Fresno County Chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association. Among other things, Hindman wrote: “Martha takes it upon herself to provide exceptional support and service to our community. She discerns quickly individuals needs that walk through her restaurant door and efficiently assists them in any way possible. She is known for providing meals for the needy, homeless and anyone in need. During these Pandemic times, all restaurant businesses have been hit financially. However, that has not stopped Martha from assisting families in need of food.”
And speaking of food, many of the nominees wrote how much they love El Cochinito Contento’s cuisine. The restaurant serves top quality versions of truly Mexican classics, such as Carnitas, Albondigas, Camaron al Mojo de Ajo, Tacos de Asada and Tacos de Tripa.
“The food always makes me feel like waking up at a warm traditional Mexican home. Everything is hand made,” wrote Alexandria Jennings. That sentiment was echoed by customer Edson Lopez: “The second you walk in, you feel like you just got to your Mom’s house and she is READY to serve you and make sure you never leave hungry. Her dishes are as close to anything I’ll ever have remembered eating as a kid.”
A key criterion for the Jarrito’s/el Restaurante award is support of employees, and Ortega wins in that category as well, according to the nominations.
“I’ve seen how their staff have become family, and how Martha has supported them in pursuing their passions,” Ivette Lopez wrote. “In one example, an employee was able to achieve a dream of being a small business owner through the support of Martha and her family, having the ability to open a boutique thanks to flexible working arrangements and support.”
Ortega’s skill in the kitchen, treatment of employees, and community engagement clearly earned her this honor. But her true legacy is the welcoming atmosphere she has created, as Edson Lopez wrote: “This is home, and Martha will always be there to greet and feed you.”