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The Veracruz All Natural Documentary Is a Tale of Tacos and Immigration

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Reyna Vazquez’s journey from undocumented worker to owner of one of the hottest spots in town

Reyna Vazquez of Veracruz All Natural
Reyna Vazquez of Veracruz All Natural
Ryan Myers
Nadia Chaudhury is the editor of Eater Austin covering food and pop culture, as well as a photographer, writer, and frequent panel moderator and podcast guest.

Veracruz All Natural owner Reyna Vazquez is the central figure of a new short documentary film. Reyna de Veracruz tells the story of her taco journey, beginning with opening the cart as an undocumented worker in 2008, and quickly growing the trailer into one of the city’s best taco spots. Now she is a documented immigrant.

Her husband, Ryan Myers, shot and directed the short narrative. He calls Reyna his role model, and wanted to share her story with the world. “Right now, we are experiencing a very polarized political climate in the United States,” he said, “and I began to think about what levels of empathy the average citizen might possess towards immigrants, and in this case, undocumented immigrants from Mexico.”

Reyna de Veracruz premieres alongside three other short documentaries covering East Austin subjects, from eviction to the African-American legacy of Anderson High School, this week as part of a UT film student screening. Two showings will take place on Thursday, May 11, the first at the Parish Hall of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 7 p.m. (1206 East 9th Street, Central East Austin), and then again at outdoor venue Kenny Dorham’s Backyard at 9 p.m. (1106 East 11th Street, Central East Austin) For those who can't make the screenings, the films will be available online later this week.

Reyna, along with co-owner and sister Maritza Vazquez, now oversee two taco trailers, one Round Rock restaurant, and an Austin brick and mortar to come shortly.

Veracruz All Natural [Manchaca Road]

4204 Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Veracruz All Natural [North Shoal Creek]

9003 Waterford Centre Boulevard, , TX 78758 (512) 363-5917 Visit Website