Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin & Jessica Escobedo.
Hi Justin & Jessica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
El Guero y La Flaca Craft Barbecue & Desserts, a Christian Based – Family Owned Small Business out of Corona, California. Serving all over Southern California from Los Angeles to the Inland Empire down to San Diego. Our mission is to bring people together through great food by combining the bold flavors of Texas-style barbecue with the vibrant influence of Latin cuisine—including Cuban, Colombian, and Mexican Flavors.
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“Hecho Con Amor” — Made With Love.
It’s more than a phrase. It’s the foundation of everything we create at El Guero y La Flaca Craft Barbecue & Desserts.
We are Justin “El Guero” and Jessica Escobedo “La Flaca,” a husband-and-wife team on a mission to serve exceptional Texas-style barbecue with a Latin twist—infused with the bold flavors of our Cuban, Colombian, and Mexican roots.
Our journey began in late 2019, just before the world changed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Justin was a machinist by trade, a career he had dedicated himself to since right out of high school in 2004. But when the pandemic forced his company to shut down, life took an unexpected and difficult turn. The loss of stability, identity, and direction led Justin into a deep depression that lasted over three years.
During that time, the fire for cooking was gone. But love doesn’t give up.
In early 2023, Jessica took a leap of faith and signed them up as barbecue food vendors at a local farmers market—hoping to bring healing through purpose, creativity, and community. That decision reignited a passion that had long been buried, and since then, the journey has been nothing short of amazing.
We’ve had the honor of being featured on KTLA 5, FOX 11’s Good Day LA, and Power 106’s Brown Bag podcast. We’ve also placed in the top 3 for the past two years at Heritage Fire (Los Angeles), a national live-fire cooking competition featuring some of California’s top Michelin-rated chefs and restaurants in which we have once again been invited this November 2025.
Barbecue didn’t just give us a business—it gave us healing, purpose, and a renewed sense of joy.
We are El Guero y La Flaca, Taste our Canvas.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has been anything but easy. As parents of three, we’ve made countless sacrifices—missing weekends, family milestones, and special events—all in pursuit of a dream. Financially, the road has been challenging. In August 2024, we took a leap of faith and decided to pursue our barbecue business full time. That decision came after Justin suffered a serious accident while working as a machinist in the aerospace industry, nearly losing the fingers on his dominant hand.
It was a wake-up call. “I told my wife I couldn’t go back—it nearly cost me not only my hand, but the passion I’ve had for cooking my whole life.” The very next day, we made it official. We committed fully to the dream, and we haven’t looked back since.
With hard work, faith, and the unwavering support of our family and friends, we’re proud to share that we’ve just secured a lease on our first food truck. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who believes in us—and we’re just getting started. The best is yet to come.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about El Guero y La Flaca?
At the heart of our business is a deep-rooted passion for flavor, family, and culture. We specialize in Texas-style craft barbecue with a Latin twist, infusing our Spanish heritage into everything from our ribs to our sauces and signature recipes. This fusion sets us apart—bringing bold, vibrant, and unforgettable flavors to every plate.
We’re proud to serve Prime Grade meats, with standouts like our tender, crowd-favorite brisket, our signature Cafecito Spare Ribs, and the show-stopping Dino Beef Ribs. But it’s not just the barbecue that keeps people coming back—our handcrafted cheesecake bites, in flavors like churro, strawberry crunch, and cookies and cream, have built a following of their own.
Beyond the food, our mission runs deeper. We proudly use our platform to advocate for mental health awareness, immigration reform, and to share the love of God—all of which have profoundly shaped who we are and why we do what we do.
Our motto, “Hecho Con Amor”—“Made with Love”—is more than just a slogan. It’s the foundation of everything we create and the spirit we bring to our community.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Justin “Guero” grew up quiet and introverted, a kid of few words and even fewer friends. Raised by a single mother working multiple jobs to provide for him and his brother, Justin was forced to mature early. But in the midst of hardship, he found comfort and purpose in the kitchen—thanks to his grandmother. A constant presence in his life, she introduced him to cooking and unknowingly lit a fire that still fuels his passion today.
Jessica “Flaca” discovered her love for baking at a young age, starting with an Easy-Bake Oven and an eagerness to share sweet creations with her father—one of her greatest early supporters. Her hobby quickly blossomed into a calling, as she became the go-to baker for family events, neighbors, and friends. What began as childhood fun soon became a side business. Today, she’s known for her unforgettable desserts and proudly carries the nickname “The Cheesecake Lady.”
Together, El Guero and La Flaca are more than just a name—we are a team driven by family, tradition, and the shared dream of creating unforgettable food experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elgueroylaflaca.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elgueroylaflaca
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elgueroylaflaca
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/IpvkD5AEnC
- Other: https://linktr.ee/elgueroylaflaca
Image Credits
Chris Ascencio (@goldenstatemediaco)
Robert Haleblian (@robert_haleblian)
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