HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Hanceville residents suffered the loss of a cozy family restaurant when Bulldogs Country Cook’n announced its permanent closure last month, but that space has been filled with another restaurant: Cafe Tula Taqueria. This family-owned business, which opened its doors Saturday, prides itself on authentic, homemade Mexican dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Tribune spoke to hostess Sara Villanueva to learn more about the business and the people who run it. She said it’s a family operation all the way from Texas.
“My husband’s brother and his wife, so our sister-in-law, then, they came here from Texas,” said Villanueva. “They had a restaurant over there, then they decided to move back here and open up a place.”
The in-laws are Francisco Martinez and Antonia Verdin, who lived in Oneonta before moving west in 2011.
As for their reason for returning, Villanueva said, “I think they got a little bit tired of the city life they had in Texas, so they came back to the country.”
Cafe Tula Taqueria’s full menu can be found on its Facebook page, but Villanueva wants everyone to know the restaurant will serve breakfast from 7-11 a.m.
“Not a lot of Mexican restaurants do breakfast,” she said, “so they want to promote the Mexican breakfast dishes like chorizo tacos and egg tacos.”
She said the restaurant’s flour tortillas and tortilla chips are made by hand, smiling, “The taste is gonna be different from anything people have had up here.”
According to Villanueva, Verdin has been in the restaurant business for quite a while.
“She was a cook for years and years before she ever even opened her first restaurant,” she said, “so she’s always been about food.”
Plans were in the works for Cafe Tula Taqueria beginning in 2019, with negotiations being made between the family and the owners of Bulldogs Country Cook’n as the latter considered closing.
As for opening day, Villanueva said, “We’ve had a steady flow all day. We were definitely not prepared for so much, and one of our freezers went out so we didn’t have everything that we could usually offer.”
The owners of Bulldogs Country Cook’n also offered their support, announcing on their Facebook page: “We would like to thank all of our loyal customers for being a part of the Bulldog family, and welcome a new dining experience in our old location. They’re officially open today for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving up authentic Texas Mexican meals. Come check them out, and give them the same love and support we’ve enjoyed while serving you over the past couple of years.”
The restaurant will receive a new freezer Monday, so the full menu should be available this week. It is only accepting cash until at least next Thursday. The cafe is open from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. every day of the week and is located at 106 Commercial St. NE, Hanceville. Takeout orders can be placed by calling 256-636-0323.
Find out more at www.facebook.com/cafetulataqueria.
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