HAWLEY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A new family-owned restaurant is giving people in Hawley another place to eat while bringing a longtime dream to life.
Sabor Mexican Restaurant opened its doors in July and is now one of a few restaurants in Hawley. The business is owned and operated by a Hawley family, who say the restaurant was created in response to both a family dream and a need they saw in their community.
Hawley Mayor Billy Richardson said the restaurant is an important addition to the city, which has had limited dining options, particularly later in the day.
“We needed a restaurant here,” Richardson said. “We have one, but we needed some different type of food.”
Richardson said he has already eaten at Sabor a couple of times and has seen firsthand how quickly the restaurant has attracted customers.
“It’s been really great, and they have been packed in every day,” Richardson said. “It’s wonderful for the city of Hawley.”
Three generations of this family have come together to bring this dream to life: Grandmother Sylvia Estrada, her son Jesse Nieto and his wife Cristina, and their son, also named Jesse.
Not pictured: Cristina Nieto’s husband, Jesse Nieto
The family previously operated a food truck across the street for about two years. The food truck eventually closed while the family focused on other commitments, including their children’s sports. Then, in May, an opportunity to open a restaurant came along, which is something the family has wanted to do for a long time.
Cristina Nieto said her husband, Jesse Nieto, had always wanted to open a Mexican restaurant, so the family decided to take the opportunity and work together to make it happen.
For Sylvia Estrada, the restaurant also meant making a major career change.
“We always wanted a restaurant,” Estrada said. “I love to cook. So, I left my job of 18 years, back in June, and it just feels good to do what I want.”
Cristina Nieto also left her previous career to work at Sabor. She had worked at a school and said Hawley’s limited dining options were part of what motivated her to help bring food to the community.
“What you’re eating here is homemade food,” Cristina said. “This is literally what you would eat at our homes.”
She said her mother-in-law and son prepare the food fresh, allowing the family to share the meals they have grown up making with people in Hawley.
Shorty Greer, a regular Sabor customer, said he has been coming to the restaurant almost every day since it opened.
Greer said having another restaurant in Hawley makes it more convenient for residents, especially those who previously had to leave town for more dining options.
For the family, community support has been one of the most meaningful aspects of opening the restaurant.
“The community really showed up, and they really supported us,” Jesse and Cristina’s son Jesse said. “I think it’s been going great. Definitely the community having our back.”
The family shared that their plans for Sabor do not stop with the current menu. They are already looking to expand the restaurant, add new menu items, and eventually bring barbecue to the business.
The youngest of the family, Jesse, is helping operate the restaurant while continuing to balance school and his own commitments. He said he learned much of what he knows about cooking from his family and is proud to be part of the family business.
The family also credited its employees for helping the restaurant get off the ground and thanked the Hawley community for continuing to support the business.
For a town with limited dining options, the family hopes Sabor can become a long-term part of the Hawley community, while allowing them to build the restaurant they have dreamed about for years.
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