David & Maggie Rangel, Owners Of Tia Maggie’s Cocina
I met David and Maggie by chance while spending the day out with my crazy pup, Heath. Me and Heath shared a delicious spuds taco, and as I got to talking to David about how they started their food truck business, you could feel the welcoming energy radiating around Tia Maggie’s Cocina. This is something that commonly surrounds food in hispanic culture, reminding me of my own family and upbringing.
Food has a beautiful way of bringing people of all different backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life together around the table. This was the main reason why I spent time in the food industry and went to culinary school, at one point having big aspirations to be a chef in my own restaurant; all to establish a welcoming community. Maggie and myself even have the same story of learning how to cook by frying eggs when we were too small to see over the stove without the help of a chair and standing on our tippy toes.
When you have been cooking from such a young age like Maggie has, creating delicious dishes comes easily; and with the support of her husband, David, they get to share their new passion throughout the Front Range. Both of them have completely changed career paths to work in the truck full-time, and with their guiding factor being their faith and being present for their customers, Tia Maggie’s Cocina can only grow and expand from here, sharing their delicious food and welcoming atmosphere with our lucky community.
What is your name and business name?
David and Maggie Rangel, Tia Maggie’s Cocina Mexican Food Truck
Where is your business located?
Colorado Springs,Monument and surrounding areas.
Tell me about your brand:
Our business is family owned and our daughter Destiny created a caricature of Maggie Rangel for our branding that brings forth a warm and friendly atmosphere. Our mission statement is to provide “Authentically Delicious Mexican Food” to our customers which our parents instilled authenticity and heart in everything we do.
What does your business do/provide?
We are a mobile food truck, we provide Mexican food such as catering, corporate, neighborhoods, public and private events including distilleries and brewing companies.
What do you feel sets you and your business apart from others?
We use local and the freshest ingredients including Callicrate Beef for our Carne Asada which brings great flavor along with the spices and marinade we have perfected throughout generations. We provide vegetarian options like the Potato Taco and Beans. We value our customers and treat them like we treat our friends and family.
What is your business’s backstory?
As we made friends in Colorado since moving from California in 2013, people would compliment Maggie on her cooking and would comment about opening a restaurant.
How and why did you start your business?
One day as Maggie was working at the Hospital she heard from God that we would be opening a Food Truck business. Maggie told David, we prayed and God opened the door and the resources to build a truck from scratch! After a few months David left the Automotive business of 35 years and hopped onboard full time with Maggie! We are believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and have seen and experienced all He does, we’ve tasted of His goodness!
What are the driving passions and morals for you and your business?
Our driving passion is to put our customers first. Our goal is to make the best food and build relationships that will keep our customers coming back for the “Real Deal”,delicious, made from the heart food!
What do you think really put your business on the map?
Our consistency in the food that we make, it sets us apart.
What are the most gratifying parts and most challenging parts of being a business owner?
The most gratifying part is getting to work with each other every day which can also be the most challenging! Remembering to keep our communication open and that we are here, one for the customers and two, for eachother.
What is your favorite memory of running your business?
Opening Day! We had so many customers! We felt the love and support of our friends and community, inviting their friends and family, it was a blast!!
How has your background/ life story played a role in who you are today?
When Maggie was just 4 and a half years of age she would have mornings home with her Father before going to Kinder class. He put a chair by the stove and taught me how to fry my very first egg! I loved cooking from that very day!! We had wonderful “Carne Asada”-BBQ parties on the weekends that equalled lots of great food, wonderful recipes Iv’e gleaned on and memories.
What is one accomplishment you are most proud of in terms of your business?
Following through, not just hearing but moving forward with trusting the call to open the business.
Is there someone or something you would like to thank or give credit to for your business ventures?
We would like to thank Our Lord and Savior Yeshua, all our family, friends for their prayers and support, without their love and encouragement none of this would have come together.
Small businesses are the building blocks for a strong community. What are your favorite things to do, see, or share in your community?
We love to serve Colorado Springs, we have been part in serving and donating in Fundraisers, feeding the homeless and donating clothes.
Social Links, Contact Information, Location, Pricing (If Applicable)
We can be contacted via phone 719-725-3300, on Facebook, Instagram under Tia Maggie’s Cocina and our Website is www.tiamaggiescocina.com Please visit our website for locations and Special Events.
