Spotlight: Santo Domingo Taqueria
Meet the force behind Santo Domingo Taqueria, which celebrates 20 years of serving the Cully neighborhood, an extraordinary milestone built on family courage, community support, and a deep connection to home.
When Gloria and her husband, Abraham, first took over the small taqueria space two decades ago, they had no restaurant experience, no formal training, and three young children at home. What they did have was encouragement from family, a willingness to take a leap, and a belief that this opportunity—just a short walk from the home where they were raising their kids—was worth pursuing.
The location, formerly another taqueria, was something the family passed by often. When they learned the business was for sale, the question became simple: Why not us? The early years were challenging, but the family worked through them together—starting with a four-person team that included Gloria and her husband.
Like many small businesses, resources were limited. Once the family connected with the local organizations serving small businesses, such as Our 42nd Avenue, Hacienda, and Prosper Portland, they began accessing a variety of services and tools to help strengthen the business.
From the beginning, Santo Domingo Taqueria was rooted in tradition. The menu was inspired by family recipes and the flavors of Gloria’s hometown of Tepelmeme Villa de Morelos, in the Oaxaca region—dishes meant to feel familiar and comforting. That authenticity helped turn the taqueria into more than a restaurant—it became a gathering place.
For nearly a decade, the family also operated a small shop connected to the restaurant, drawing in neighbors for snacks and everyday necessities. Over time, Santo Domingo became a neighborhood hub, a place where people ran into classmates, parents from school meetings, and longtime friends.
The community has always been at the heart of Santo Domingo Taqueria. The family has long participated in local farmer’s markets, school events, and neighborhood initiatives. During the pandemic and other difficult times, they gave back through free meal programs, food deliveries, and fundraising days that donated proceeds to local nonprofits and clinics. Even now, when fear and uncertainty have kept some community members at home, the family continues adapting and supporting their community by offering online ordering, home delivery options, and regularly checking in on neighbors.
That same resilience defines their expansion. After years of outgrowing the original space, the family made the collective decision to open a second restaurant, Domingo’s—an ode to Santo Domingo and a tribute to family history. It was a leap that required trust, savings, and once again, doing it together. Not only is this a second location, but they are also proud owners of the building and the business.
Twenty years in, Santo Domingo Taqueria remains a reflection of what’s possible with perseverance and a strong community. It’s a place where staff are treated like family, customers are known by name, and food is served with heart. Rain or shine, the doors open—because just showing up has always been part of the mission.
As Santo Domingo Taqueria marks this milestone, the celebration isn’t just about longevity—it’s about legacy, belonging, and the community that made it all possible.
What is your favorite part about owning a small business?
Leslie: We get to be together in one way or another; we get the privilege of being a small part of a larger machine. Each one of us has a different role, and we can support each other if needed. We (James, Leslie, Diego) have grown up here, so we have learned many invaluable skills along the way. No matter what, we all learned together, have grown together, and want to continue being a part of our community.
What role does the community play?
Leslie: We wouldn't be who we are without the people around us, and to us that is the Cully neighborhood. When we started, they welcomed us with open arms and took care of us through thick and thin. During COVID, everyone around us rallied to support us. In the last 6 months with ICE activities, everyone did the same. We could not have pulled through any of it without our regulars and this community. We like to think we've created a family here. So really, this community is our biggest cheerleader and our motivation to keep pushing through even the hardest times.
What has been your biggest success?
Leslie: Turning 20 years old! AND the next biggest success is that we were able to open up our SECOND location because of the growth of this little taco shop.
