JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – At first glance, La Michoacana Taqueria y Antojitos looks like any other Mexican restaurant. But once you meet the owners, it becomes clear that this spot on Jacksonville’s Southside offers so much more than delicious food.
For years, David Morales and his wife, María, have been committed not only to serving Mexican food but also to participating in events meant to uplift the local Hispanic community. However, Morales said one of those events had to be canceled this year due to concerns about immigration enforcement.
“We had to do something different this year,” Morales said.
This husband and wife’s commitment to embracing Mexican culture is evident — and it all starts with their restaurant.
La Michoacana, Taqueria y Antojitos on Beach Boulevard offers authentic Mexican food items that you would not typically find in other local Mexican restaurants.
“We make the mole from scratch. Everything that we make here is from zero,” Morales said.
After working in construction and the restaurant industry for more than 10 years, the couple decided to venture into owning their own business in 2019.
And with both of them being from Mexico, the answer was easy.
“There’s a lot of Tex-Mex restaurants. There’s a couple ones who only do this, the right recipes. Like grandma recipes,” Morales said.
But his efforts to bring an authentic Mexican experience to Jacksonville go beyond food.
Last year, Morales organized an event to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day, which is on Sept. 16.
Morales said the event was a huge success, and while he was looking forward to hosting it again this year, he chose not to.
“Because of what’s happening right now with all the immigration,” Morales said. “We don’t want to put our customers or anybody on that risk.”
Morales is not alone.
Several celebrations across the country, including Hispanic Heritage events in North Carolina and Massachusetts, were canceled this year amid a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration from the Trump administration.
But President Trump said the crackdown is necessary to keep communities safe and to encourage people to go through the legal process.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also warned Mexican nationals living in the U.S. to be cautious when attending Independence Day celebrations.
Morales said he has also seen the impact of increased illegal immigration enforcement on his business.
“I think people are leaving the state of Florida because, you know, the ICE raids and all this stuff and what’s happening right now,” he said. “It’s hard moments right now, you know, but we appreciate it. To everybody who’s supporting us.”
Despite the challenges, Morales said he remains committed to being a part of events that uplift the Hispanic community, for example, the upcoming Dia de los Muertos event on Nov. 5.