Today we’d like to introduce you to Norma Prado.
Hi Norma, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My husband and I both studied Business Administration and we have a Master in Finance, when we got married, we decided to take a chance on ourselves and open our very first business, a small pharmacy in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.That was just the beginning. Over the years, we opened several different businesses, including a perfume store and an innovative ice cream shop where we prepared the ice cream right in front of our customers on a frozen plate, creating fresh rolled ice cream where you can find a space where toddlers could play, which was especially meaningful because by then, our first daughter had already been born.We later started a gold buying and selling business as well.That business became a very difficult chapter in our lives. We invested in an expensive machine using a loan in U.S. dollars. At the time, the exchange rate was around 10 Mexican pesos to one dollar, so the payments seemed manageable, and the business was doing very well. But about a year and a half later, the exchange rate climbed to around 23 pesos to one dollar. Suddenly, the loan became incredibly difficult to pay.We tried everything we could to keep the business going, but eventually we realized how much debt we were carrying and how much of our own money had become tied up in that loan. We had no choice but to close the business. We tried to sell the machine, but it took almost another year before we were finally able to do it.And during that same period, our second daughter was born with serious medical complications. She spent three months in the hospital, and heartbreakingly, we lost her.So there we were… bankrupt, overwhelmed with debt, and with our hearts completely broken.That was probably one of the hardest moments of our lives. But somehow, my husband and I looked at each other and said, essentially, “Nos tenemos que poner las pilas.” We had to get back up. We had to keep going, especially for our family.Our businesses were struggling, so we made the difficult decision to reorganize everything. We kept the ice cream business, and we decided to start a small taco business because we needed something that could generate faster and more consistent income. We needed to pay our debts and, most importantly, rebuild our lives.What happened next completely changed our story.Within about a year, our little taco business became very well known. The business grew faster than we ever imagined. We eventually had five locations, started catering for large companies, including automotive and beverage manufacturing companies and began catering parties and special events.We also partnered with one of the largest convenience store chains in Mexico, eventually selling our tacos through their stores. What started as a desperate attempt to create some cash flow became a successful and growing business.At that time, my parents were already living in the United States, and my dad suggested that we consider coming to Austin and opening a restaurant here.It was a huge decision. We had already experienced incredible highs and devastating lows in business. We knew what it meant to start over. But we also knew that we had done it before.So we took another leap of faith.And that’s how we ended up here in Austin, buying Red River Cafe, a beloved restaurant near UT, and a place where generations of students have come to eat, hang out, and feel at home.For us, it wasn’t just buying a restaurant. It was the beginning of a new chapter in our lives, bringing with us everything we had learned, everything we had lost, and everything we had fought so hard for.
And now, we’re about to open our second business here in the U.S., a taco food truck inspired by the same taco business we built in Mexico. We’ll be bringing some of those flavors and traditions with us, while also adding some of our own American /Mexican dishes.
Looking back, our journey has definitely not been a straight line. There have been moments of success, moments of failure, and moments of unimaginable heartbreak. But every chapter has taught us something and shaped who we are today.Most importantly, we’ve learned that sometimes you have to lose everything to discover just how much strength you really have and that no matter how difficult life gets, you can always find a way to get back up and start again.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Well, definitely not! It was a rough road at the beginning. Getting to know a new culture, adjusting to everyday English and the way people communicate here, and adapting to a completely different way of life was a huge change for us.
At that time, our third daughter was only two years old, so we were raising a young family while trying to open and run a restaurant in a new country. Balancing our family’s needs while also trying to keep a new business afloat was challenging, to say the least.
Even though we already spoke English, there were so many everyday expressions, ways of communicating, and cultural differences that we had to learn along the way. Sometimes, even simple things felt challenging because everything was new.
But we had been through difficult times before, and we knew that giving up wasn’t an option.
At the same time, we feel incredibly grateful for the Austin community and our customers. They have been so supportive of us from the beginning. They welcomed us, encouraged us, and made us feel comfortable and at home much sooner than we expected.
Looking back, the transition wasn’t easy, but the people around us made such a difference. We’re truly thankful for Austin and for everyone who has supported us along the way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Red River Cafe, Blue Baskets Tacos?
Red River Cafe is a beloved American breakfast diner that has been part of the Austin community since 1982. Located right next to UT, it has welcomed generations of students, families, hospital staff, and neighbors. It’s the kind of place where people come back years later and say, “I used to come here when I was a student.”
The restaurant has also had some pretty exciting moments over the years. We’ve had productions film here, including scenes for shows like The Walking Dead, as well as movies that are scheduled to be released in 2027. It’s special to know that this little diner has been part of Austin’s story for so many years.
But for me, Red River Cafe is about so much more than the food or the history.
My job is to make people feel at home.
Because we’re so close to UT, we have students who are far away from their families. I want Red River Cafe to be a place where they can come in, have a good meal, recognize a friendly face, and feel a little bit of home when home is far away.
And being next to St. David’s Hospital has given me the opportunity to witness some incredibly meaningful moments. I’ve seen people come in with a pregnant belly, and then a couple of days later, they come back with a baby in their arms. I’ve gotten to congratulate them, give them a hug, and share in that beautiful moment.
I’ve also learned that sometimes people don’t need anything complicated. They might just need someone to smile at them, listen to them, or make them feel seen.
To me, that’s what being in the restaurant business is really about. You have the opportunity to change someone’s day without even realizing it.
I’m also very proud that many of our employees are students. I love working alongside them and learning from them. Hearing their ideas, their perspectives, and the way they see the world is something I genuinely enjoy. They remind me that while I have a lot of life and business experience to share with them, I can learn just as much from them.
I think that’s one of the things I love most about Red River Cafe: every day brings different people, different stories, and different opportunities to connect.
I truly love my job. And I’m proud that we aren’t just serving breakfast, we’re creating a place where people can feel welcome, connected, and a little more at home.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are so many ways people can support us, and honestly, every little bit means a lot to us.
Coming to Red River Cafe for breakfast, visiting our new taco food truck, sharing our social media, telling a friend about us, or simply spreading the word about our businesses can make a bigger difference than people might realize.
As a small family owned business, word of mouth is incredibly valuable to us. When someone enjoys their experience and tells someone else about us, it helps us continue growing and building something that we can be proud of.
We’re also always open to collaborations with local businesses, organizations, and our Austin community. We love meeting new people and finding ways to work together.
And honestly, the best way to support us is simply to come see us, bring your friends, enjoy some good food, and become part of our story.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redrivercafeaustin?igsi=dGkwdWQxOXpsOHJo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Eb4bSQNLw/
