Good Service is the Key to Success for Mexican Eatery

Esaul Rodriguez knows Mexican. In fact, the owner of Puerto Vallerta says cooking is in his blood.

The Mexican native's family members own more than 400 restaurants of all kinds - mostly Mexican - around the nation. Now branching out to open another Puerto Vallerta chain in Orange, Rodriguez says he feels fortunate to be doing something he loves so successfully.

Afer opening the authentic eatery on Queen Street seven years ago, Rodriguez said the business saw the most profits this past year, which helped him make the decision to expand yet again.

"We feel very fortunate to still be doing well despite the economy," Rodriguez said. "We just had to do more with less and keep doing what we do best."

Rodriguez also credits his success to his commitment to customer service and always striving for more innovate ways to stay on top of his game. By adding specialties like table-side service offering freshly made guacamole and other food, he guarantees good business.

Rodriguez came from a large farming family in the small Mexican village of Union de Tula Jalisco. Farming and ranching were among the only ways to make a living- Rodriguez wanted more.

When he was 16-years-old in 1985, he came to the United States to work for his uncle’s Mexican restaurant in Oregon. He didn't speak any English and had just six dollars to his name.

Serving in every capacity including busboy, server and cook, he began working with vendors and handling many of the logistics of running a restaurant by the age of 21, however.

After several years of running his own restaurant in Oregon, Rodriguez moved to Connecticut because research indicated that traditional Mexican cuisine was not a major influence in the state.

In 1999, Rodriguez opened Puerto Vallarta in West Hartford. As the first location grew in popularity, he opened other locations, including Newington in 2001, Middletown and Southington in 2004 and Avon in 2006.

Now Rodriguez has hopes to strike gold once again in Orange, choosing Boston Post Road due to its strong visibility and heavy traffic. Rodriquez is confident that restaurant guests from Orange and other surrounding towns will delight in their "authentic Mexican cuisine experience" at the newest addition to the Puerto Vallarta Restaurant family.

"I'm excited, I think we'll do well there, based on how the existing restaurants have been doing," Rodriguez said.