We Are Stepping Into The Kitchen With HomeState Owner And CEO Briana Valdez To Hear All About The Early Opening Days

The early days of HomeState --------------------------- Secret LA: Can you tell us about your journey in opening the restaurant? Briana Valdez: We opened in 2013 in East Hollywood in an 800-square-foot space. Today we have eight locations, and we’re excited to open two more in the next six months. Secret LA: What inspired you to open that very first little spot? Briana Valdez: I was born and raised in Texas, and when I moved to Southern California, I was incredibly homesick. I grew up with a big family, surrounded by familiar food and community, and I missed that connection. I went looking for flour tortillas, breakfast tacos, and maybe even a frozen margarita here and there, and couldn’t find them anywhere in LA. So I thought: maybe I should create it. Secret LA: Were there challenges in those early days? Briana Valdez: Of course – raising money, finding a space, and navigating red tape as a first-time business owner. But the biggest challenge was getting people to care about flour tortillas. LA is a corn tortilla town. I would literally beg customers...I’d work the front register and encourage them to take a chance. Now, most of our tacos are ordered on flour tortillas. Diving into HomeState’s menu ---------------------------- Secret LA: What’s your favorite dish that people should order on Postmates? Briana Valdez: The Lone Star Migas. It’s made with eggs, pico de gallo, brisket, avocado, and served with flour tortillas. You can make about five tacos from one order. It’s generous, satisfying, and it travels really well for delivery. HomeState’s impact on LA and the Hispanic community --------------------------------------------------- Secret LA: Beyond the food, how does HomeState impact the LA community? Briana Valdez: From the start, HomeState was meant to be a community hub. People can come in for coffee alone, meet a friend, or push tables together for a birthday party. We keep prices as accessible as possible while paying and supporting our team fairly. We also engage with local schools and community initiatives outside our four walls. Since 2015, our “Band Taco Program” has raised over half a million dollars for causes ranging from music scholarships to unhoused services. Secret LA: That community focus really shows. What about Hispanic Heritage Month, what does it mean to you? Briana Valdez: It’s emotional. Right now, the immigrant experience in this country is so difficult, and it’s more important than ever to shine a light on the beauty of our culture—how we gather, celebrate, and share food. For me, it’s a joy and honor to be an ambassador for Tex-Mex and Mexican American culture through HomeState. Secret LA: Thank you for sharing that. And finally, if HomeState’s food had a personality, what would it be? Briana Valdez: She’s a cowgirl. Independent, strong, authentic, and welcoming – just like Texas itself. Source: https://secretlosangeles.com/in-the-kitchen-homestate/