Today we’d like to introduce you to Luis Farfan
Hi Luis, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Mexico, where I pursued an engineering degree and later earned a master’s in agricultural sciences through a scholarship I won. At almost 24, I made a bold move to Austin, Texas, where my first job was in a food truck. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and I quickly saw the potential in the food truck business. So, by 24, I was running my own food truck, catering to events all over Austin.
At one point, I considered pursuing a PhD, but my business demanded my full attention. Around the same time, my then-partner was awarded a scholarship to study in Europe, and I decided to join her. I spent two years in Copenhagen, where I managed operations for a kebab franchise with six locations and later worked as the European operations assistant for Cartken, a robotics company—an opportunity that aligned with my engineering background.
Despite these incredible experiences, I missed having my own business. That’s why, before leaving Denmark, I launched an app for freelancers in Mexico. The journey was full of learning and growth. Now I’m 30 and back in the U.S. for about three months, I’m thrilled to see how much our food business has flourished. Thanks to my sister and partner who worked super hard while I was away, business is booming. Our wholesale program is growing rapidly, and demand for our breakfast tacos in Austin has skyrocketed—we even have a waiting list of coffee shop partners eager to work with us!
We may still be a small business, but Austin has its eyes on our breakfast tacos, and this is just the beginning.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
t definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every challenge along the way has shaped me and the businesses I’ve built.
When I first moved to Austin, starting out in the food industry was tough. Working in a food truck is physically demanding, and learning the ins and outs of running one—from sourcing ingredients to managing events—was a steep learning curve. Then, when I decided to start my own food truck business at 24, I had to navigate everything from permits to marketing, all while ensuring we served great food that stood out in Austin’s competitive scene.
Leaving my business behind to move to Copenhagen was another challenge. While I gained valuable experience managing multi-location operations and working with a robotics company, I missed the feeling of running my own business. When I launched my freelancer app in Mexico, I faced the struggles of building a startup—tech development, user acquisition, and market adaptation were all hurdles I had to tackle.
Returning to the U.S. after two years and stepping back into my food business was another transition. Thankfully, my sister and partner did an amazing job while I was away, but as demand skyrocketed, we had to quickly adapt. Scaling up our wholesale program, managing a growing team, and handling a waiting list of coffee shop partners have all been exciting but demanding challenges.
Despite the struggles, I’ve always believed that obstacles are just opportunities to learn and grow. Every setback has pushed me to become more resourceful, resilient, and strategic. The road hasn’t been easy, but the journey has been incredibly rewarding.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about El Xolo Tacos?
At El Xolo Tacos, our journey is as rich as our flavors. I grew up in Mexico and eventually made my way to Austin, where a food truck job sparked my passion for authentic Mexican cuisine. That spark led me to launch my own food truck, and today we’ve evolved into a cozy, growing brick-and-mortar spot offering a diverse range of Mexican dishes.
While our menu is varied, our breakfast tacos—our most popular item—truly capture the heart of our heritage. We’re proud to be recognized across several catering platforms like ezcater, zerotacer, cater2me, roaming hunger, and more. You can also find us featured in many of Austin’s favorite coffee shops.
What sets us apart is our genuine commitment to quality and authenticity. Every dish we serve tells a part of our story—a story of passion, hard work, and a drive to bring the best of Mexican cuisine to the Austin community.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe that relentless effort, unwavering dedication, and a commitment to constant learning are the cornerstones of my success. Every day brings new challenges, and I’ve learned that patience and resilience—especially during moments of uncertainty—are just as crucial. Embracing these qualities has allowed me to navigate the ups and downs of the food industry and continuously evolve, both personally and professionally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elxolotacos.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elxolotacosatx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElXoloTacosATX/
