When Oscar Ramos left high school in Juventino Rosas in Mexico, his mom suggested a culinary institute. He was always cooking great food at home, and it seemed like a natural fit…but Oscar decided it wasn’t for him.
Fast forward to 2025, and the guy who thought culinary school was out of the question is now the proud owner of his first restaurant! El Taco Real is planning to open at 2208 West 66th Street in Richfield on Thursday, May 8 at 11 a.m.
After starting a successful, long-unning construction business in the Twin Cities, Oscar and his wife Heimi decided it was time to build on their list of accomplishments, and returned to Oscar’s first love of providing good food. At a meeting, their company bookkeeper suggested that a vacant restaurant building at 66th and Penn in Richfield might be just what Oscar was looking for. A call to Heimi sealed the deal; as Heimi said, “It felt like an opportunity we couldn’t pass on. Opportunities don’t come up every day!”
The name El Taco Real will have two meanings for the new restaurant. Oscar explained that the word “Real” means “royal” in Spanish, but it also can mean “real” or “true,” as it does in English…so El Taco Real will be offering two lines of tacos: Gourmet, or “royal” tacos; and street food, or “real” tacos.
Oscar explained that tacos as we know them developed from the mixture of Spanish and indigenous heritage in Mexico, as Spaniards took tortillas and filled them with the meats they were used to. And the hand-painted mural in their new space reflects that double heritage: A Mayan queen and a Spanish queen face each other eating tacos!
And Oscar explained what will set El Taco Real apart. Making their tortillas fresh onsite and using recipes from family and friends in Mexico, Oscar feels that El Taco Real will be able to showcase the passion and excitement they have for their new project, and deliver more than just food; they’ll be delivering an experience.
We’re excited to welcome Oscar and Heimi to Richfield!
