Our Story

My grandpa was born in Arkansas and came home to a one-bedroom house with dirt floors. He was born to immigrants and grew up with the name Ricardo Martinez. That’s who you’ll need to look up if you want to find him in his high school yearbook. My great-grandpa Uribe had the strongest hands and was a master gardener. Both he and my great-grandma knew the meaning of hard work. After they got married, they came to the United States, traveling from Guadalajara, Mexico. They walked, hitchhiked, rode a bus, and even had a donkey help them along the way.

Years later, my great-grandpa was taken from his home in California and deported. My grandpa, who was a teenager at the time, watched him leave, not knowing if he would ever come back.

Fortunately, my great-grandparents made it back to America a second time, legally, and were able to use their real last name, Uribe. Although that’s not my last name, as they come from my mom’s side, the sacrifices they made to get me here are a constant reminder of how lucky I am to have such a rich history from that part of my family—the part that helped me start Uncle Al’s Tacos.

I love my great-grandma and great-grandpa Uribe and what they stood for. I’m so grateful I had the chance to visit my great-grandpa while he was still alive and hear his stories. They loved their family so much, and I still feel that love today through the entire Uribe side.

Thank you for being a part of our journey and supporting us as we honor our heritage and culture. I truly appreciate the love and ‘Ánimo’ you’ve given me as I continue to build upon our taco traditions! Seguimos adelante!

Con cariño,
Al

Follow the journey on Instagram, @unclealstacos!