Our Story
Where Family, Flavor, and Tradition Come Together
Honoring Our Mother, Celebrating Our Roots
We’re Joel and Fernando—brothers, combat veterans, and lifelong Polk County residents. We founded Margarita’s Cocina Mexicana to honor our mother, Margarita, whose homemade recipes and unwavering love inspired our passion for authentic Mexican food. Every dish reflects our family’s heritage, hard work, and tradition, inviting every guest to enjoy the flavors and hospitality we grew up with.
Growing up in a hardworking migrant family, we moved with the seasons—working the fields in Indiana and New York during the summer, and the Florida orange groves the rest of the year. Through it all, our mother’s cooking was the constant that brought us together. Her food wasn’t just delicious—it was comforting, authentic, and full of soul. It told the story of where we came from and reminded us that no matter how hard the workday was, we were rich in tradition and family.
After serving together in the U.S. Army and returning to civilian life, we knew we wanted to create something that reflected who we are and where we came from. With the same dedication and discipline we learned in the military—and later, running restaurants—we built Margarita’s Cocina Mexicana to feel like home for every guest who walks through the doors.
Where Every Visit Feels Like Home
We believe great food should bring people together, and that’s exactly what our mom’s cooking always did. So come in, relax, and enjoy the dishes that defined our childhood and continue to inspire us today.
Welcome to Margarita’s, where every plate tells a story.
— Joel & Fernando
