Tex Mex pizza brings fusion food, cultures to Groves

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Lorena Santoyo, left, and Sandra Vazquez pre cook meat as they get ready for the lunch crowd Wednesday at Mi Casa Tex-Mex Pizza in Groves.

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May 6, 2010

Darragh Doiron The Port Arthur News The Port Arthur News Fri May 07, 2010, 08:15 AM CDT

PORT ARTHUR —

GROVES — On May 5 in Guadalajara, Sandra L. Vazquez would don regional garb and dance, but that was at school only. In Mexico City, Lorena Santoyo said the day called for “a little festival” at school.

“At home, it was not exactly a celebration,” Santoyo said.

The two Groves business women say they’ve found Americans observe Cinco de Mayo — with Mexican food and maybe a margarita — more than they ever did back home. The day is an observance of the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Vazquez has a master’s degree in chemistry and Santoyo studied economics in Mexico. Both were students in Fernando Ramirez’ English classes at the Port Arthur Public Library.

Santoyo said he cut them off from Mexican soap operas and immersed them in the English-speaking world. As they practiced, the women discovered they enjoyed feeding people at parties and launched Mi Casa Tex Mex Pizza at 2620 Main Ave. in Groves.

They’re just a week into serving up Super Sombrero specials and pies with fajitas, poblano peppers, fajitas, shrimp, chorizo and other Mexican fare.

“We have really good customers already,” said Vazquez. “They’re curious.”

Maybe they want to know more about the ingredients, or maybe they’re ready for the bold claim written on the window: “The Best Pizza You Will Ever Eat.”

Tile counters and two oversized wooden chairs accent decor in the tiny shop. Vazquez’ husband made the furniture, and is planning to make more for a seating area adjacent to the current kitchen.

“He’s smart like that,” she said.

His name is Jorge and Sontoyo’s husband is Carlos. The two men are best friends and have been supportive, the women said.

Vazquez said she’s lived in the area for about five years and Santoyo said she’s called the area home for a decade. While they studied English in their youth, they said their classes in Mexico weren’t like learning the language here.

They may soon say the same about cooking for parties vs. serving hungry diners, but their kitchen, stocked with enormous bags of flour, sliced peppers and pans full of savory meat indicate they’re ready to educate Southeast Texans on a flavor fusion in a to-go box.

ddoiron@panews.com

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Tex Mex pizza brings fusion food, cultures to Groves

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