By Mike Kinney
Three years ago, Juan and Melly Padilla opened Taqueria San Juan Mexican Grill at San Pablo Village (San Pablo Avenue and Vale Road) with little more than determination, family support, and a shared love for cooking.
Named after their hometown of San Juan in the Mexican state of Jalisco, the Padillas built the business from the ground up while balancing work and family life.
“My wife and I started from scratch working to make Taqueria San Juan Mexican Grill happen,” Juan recalled. “She would pick up the kids from school, they’d do their homework, and my wife would be busy cooking and running the business. I had another job as a general manager at a restaurant in San Francisco. I’d commute from the city and come here to help my wife. Looking back, those were the days to say the least.”
Running the restaurant remains a family effort, with a small, close-knit team that the Padillas consider extended family.
“Every employee we’ve hired has stayed with us because we treat them like family,” Padilla said. “It’s wonderful to be surrounded by people who care about their work and each other.”
Next door, the couple also operates Mely’s Café, which they opened five years ago. Together, the two eateries reflect the Padillas’ commitment to sharing good food and friendly service with their community.
For Juan and Melly, the best part of owning Taqueria San Juan is connecting with customers.
“We love all of our customers and treat them like family,” Juan said. “They always tell us how welcome and cozy they feel here. Kindness, excellent service, and getting to know our customers. It’s what keeps us going.”
He added that every meal is made fresh, just as they would at home.
“Everything is made from scratch,” he said. “There’s no pre-cooked food here. We only use fresh ingredients and cook each meal to order. We’re proud of that.”
While challenges such as the pandemic and economic shifts have tested small businesses everywhere, Padilla remains hopeful.
“Maintaining two places has been rough,” he admitted. “But when people keep trying, they find a way forward. We just do our best every day.”
With a smile, he added, “We encourage people to come and try a meal made with care. You’ll feel right at home.”
