Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Chavez.
Hi Julia , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
We served our first taco in April 2018, making our mark as a pop-up in the Taqueria El Zamorano parking lot in Santa Ana, CA. Our inspiration came from many places — David’s background in his parents’ restaurant, our Mexican-American heritage, and the growing need for vegan Mexican food in Orange County. At the time, we were Orange County’s first and only weekly vegan pop-up. What began as a dream to open OC’s first vegan taqueria became a reality in 2020 with the opening of our official storefront. Today, we’re proud to continue transforming and bridging the worlds of plant-based and Mexican cuisine.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The restaurant world is a wild one. When we first opened, the response was overwhelming, the love and support were unmatched. Those early days brought some of our biggest stresses and our proudest accomplishments. Opening during the pandemic came with its own set of challenges — it was stressful, to say the least. What followed wasn’t any easier. The cost of running a business skyrocketed, not by the usual 3–5%, but in some cases by 50–100%.
We were faced with a difficult question: how do we keep going? The answer: extreme sacrifice and relentless passion. We’ve done everything in our power to keep our doors open for our community. As owners, we’ve looked at every aspect of our business and made the hard adjustments needed to stay afloat.
In the last few years, we’ve seen many vegan establishments in Orange County close. It’s heartbreaking and a constant reminder of the pressure small businesses face. The stress can be heavy, but when we look at what we’ve built — our little vegan taqueria, it fills us with joy and pride.
If you’re reading this, we hope it serves as a reminder to support small businesses whenever you can. You are the reason our doors stay open.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Vegan by El Zamorano is Orange County’s very own vegan taqueria. We specialize in Vegan Mexican food — the kind that tastes like home. Our menu features a variety of “traditional” Mexican proteins like Asada, Al Pastor, Chorizo, and Carnitas, all made 100% plant-based. From tacos on handmade tortillas to cheesy quesadillas with our housemade cashew cheese, every bite is crafted with love.
Our standout item? The California Burrito — a perfect twist where Mexico meets California.
We also offer on-site catering, think your favorite taquero, but vegan. We know we’re a little different (in the best way), and while the menu can be overwhelming at times, we promise — it’s really good.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Owning a restaurant is a huge risk in itself — so yes, we’re definitely risk takers. When we started, we were just 23. The idea for our pop-up came about only three weeks before our first event. We spent the next two years building our business, and by the time we opened our storefront at 25, it finally felt real. I remember thinking, “Okay, we’re really doing this,” and seeing David so excited to bring his dream to life.
That same fearless energy has carried us to where we are today. Risk can be “scary,” but its also what keeps things exciting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Veganbyelzamorano.com
- Instagram: @veganbyelzamorano
