Santa Catarina In Cedar Park, Texas: Meet The Chef
We sat down with Executive Chef Francisco Cortez of Santa Catarina in Cedar Park, Texas. Dining at Santa Catarina is a vibrant and unforgettable experience that beautifully captures the true essence of authentic Mexican cuisine. The extensive menu features a delightful array of traditional dishes, ranging from sizzling fajitas to rich and savory enchiladas, each expertly crafted with fresh ingredients and bold, inviting flavors.
Image: Santa Catarina in Cedar Park, Texas
Tell us about what your morning routine looks like, and how you like to end your day?
I always start my day by thanking God for the blessing of good health and sharing a cup of coffee with my wife. After that, I head to one of the restaurants to begin my workday. My first priority is motivating the manager on duty, helping them set up the restaurant, and creating a positive atmosphere for the team. I enjoy making my team laugh and using humor to lighten the mood, creating a supportive environment that sets everyone up for success.
Image: Santa Catarina in Cedar Park, Texas
At the end of the day, I aim to hear positive feedback from my management team, knowing that every location had a successful day with satisfied customers. The restaurant industry is demanding, but I always make time to fit in a gym workout. Exercising keeps me healthy and ensures a good night’s sleep, helping me recharge for the demands of the next day.
Do you have any awards or achievements you’d like to mention?
I come from a small town in Mexico, where my family struggled with poverty and had very limited opportunities for success. My greatest personal achievement was moving to the United States at 14 years old and embracing the American dream through hard work, commitment, and dedication. Today, my team and I proudly operate three successful restaurants that have overcome significant challenges. It’s deeply fulfilling to know that I’ve created more than 100 jobs and even more rewarding to ensure that each staff member is well cared for by Santa Catarina Restaurant. Although I don’t have any official awards, my greatest personal reward is having my wife by my side for 35 years and raising four wonderful children. Together, we’ve endured life’s hardships, and their support has been the cornerstone of everything I’ve achieved.
Do you have a favorite chef that you look up to and what advice would you give to aspiring chefs?
Unfortunately, I don’t have a professional chef I look up to, but I’ve always admired my mother and grandmother. As I mentioned earlier, I come from a humble family in South Central Mexico. I remember them instructing me to pick fresh produce and herbs from their garden, and somehow, they would transform these ingredients into wonderful dishes we all enjoyed together at the table. The best advice I can offer to chefs is to always be patient, respectful, and humble with your employees. It’s crucial to make them feel heard and to allow them the space to share their thoughts and ideas. On a personal level, I also recommend being consistent by waking up early and working hard. The results will always follow.
What do you typically cook at home for yourself or your family?
It depends on the weather and our mood. During colder weather, we often enjoy making soups that feature fresh herbs and dried peppers. At other times, we like to prepare more dishes, such as various types of steaks, to share at the table.
What’s a food trend that you’re loving right now and why?
There's a growing trend towards creating higher-quality images and videos of food, and I find it fascinating. For years, I believe Mexican cuisine has often been misrepresented visually, but now, there's a change happening. More and more restaurants, including ours, are elevating the way Mexican food is featured, focusing not only on the rich flavors but also on the aesthetic appeal. It’s pretty cool to see how the beauty of our dishes is finally being presented with the care and attention they deserve.
What’s that strangest food combination you’ve ever tried? And, did you like it?
One of the most unique things I've ever eaten goes back to my childhood. My grandma used to cook armadillo for me, served with a salsa made from Chile guajillo. I actually really enjoyed it! Another memorable experience was when I had the pleasure working with an Oaxacan chef named Susana Trilling. She taught me how to cook chapulines (grasshoppers), and we made tacos with a special tomatillo sauce we created, topped with queso fresco. It was a surprisingly delicious and memorable dish.
What cocktail or beverage do you enjoy most?
There are many drinks I could mention, but honestly, anything made with fresh ingredients and top-shelf liquor is always sure to impress. For instance, we have a signature drink called El Tepache, made with fresh pineapple, tamarindo, and lime juice. The combination of flavors is absolutely amazing.
Have you ever cooked for a celebrity? Do you have a story to tell?
Over the years, we’ve had the honor of serving many celebrities, politicians, and influencers. However, we believe in treating every customer like a celebrity. That’s the mindset we instill in our team. I remember when we first opened our restaurant; we would look out the window, and every time we saw a car pull up, we’d get excited about the opportunity to serve them. We made sure to treat each guest with the same care and attention we would give to a celebrity—at least, that’s the feedback they gave us. It brought us great joy to see them enjoy our food, and even more so when they returned each week to share the experience with their friends and family.
Image: Santa Catarina in Cedar Park, Texas
What’s your Instagram so readers can follow you?
It’s @santacatarinatx. Please follow us!
Why should readers visit Santa Catarina in Cedar Park, Texas?
My cousin Jesus Hernandez (business partner) and I were born and raised on a farm in South Central Mexico, where every meal was made fresh from scratch using whatever our mothers could find in her kitchen or from the farm. Each dish was prepared with so much love and gratitude that you could truly taste it. For me, food has always been a celebration—a celebration of life, family, friendship, and the joy of welcoming visitors. Whether a friend, family member, or distant relative, every person was welcomed with food and given the best care and impeccable service from our mother and sisters. At our restaurants, that same spirit of warmth and hospitality is what we strive to replicate. And not to mention, our bar serves some of the best cocktails in town, including margaritas that are second to none. We use fresh-squeezed lime juice and agave nectar instead of sugar, creating unique and refreshing combinations. We hope to see you at Santa Catarina Mexican Restaurant.
