One Thursday evening in 2014 after working construction with his father, Felix Canales Jr. sprung an idea on his parents: With their blessing and support, he wanted to start his own food truck business.
“I always had a passion for cooking,” Canales Jr. said. “At home, I’d always get involved and ask questions so I’d know how to perfect certain dishes.”
Three days after his proposition, the 25-year-old Morgan Hill resident—along with his father, Felix Sr., and mother, Marta—started drawing up designs for the food truck, which he then purchased in Fremont earlier this year.
“From then on, we came up with the name, ‘El Taco Feliz’ or (translated) ‘The Happy Taco,’” explained Canales Jr., who also used the slogan ‘Taste the difference’ for his new Mexican eatery. “I wanted something catchy and fun.”
An image of an animated taco with a welcoming smile on its shell matched the wide grin of Canales Jr. as he greeted his first customer of the morning July 6.
“I came on Friday (July 3) for the grand opening. We saw it on Facebook. I was waiting all week. I got 20 tacos and gave some to my family,” said Gilroy resident Joe Woods, who commutes north for work but not normally through San Martin. “I’ll come here for this place.”
That’s exactly the vibe Canales Jr. is trying to generate throughout South County for his first business venture.
“I jumped into this. I know there is a risk,” said Canales Jr., whose easy-going yet business-like demeanor helped him in selling 1,800 tacos at the July 3 grand opening where he offered a raffle of one free catering event of up to 50 guests for one lucky customer. “Every one of my family members, the community, my friends from church and school have shown me nothing but support.”
Parked in a leased space outside the San Martin Market at 13320 Depot Street in San Martin is Canales Jr.’s burnt-orange-colored, sparkling new food trailer. With the handy work of several family members, Canales Jr. carved out a quaint outside location a quick turn off San Martin Avenue with four handmade picnic tables underneath a canopy for shade and a line of hay bales for additional customer seating. There’s plenty of room for customers to order and sit to enjoy the full menu of Mexican culinary classics as well as some new-age fusion ideas he’s got in the works.
Along with the traditional tacos, burritos and quesadillas—which come in regular or super-size stuffed with choice of carne asada, pollo, carnitas, or al pastor and all the fixings—the Happy Taco offers a modern burrito bowl, a California burrito (packed with choice of meat, French fries, cheese, guacamole, crema and pico de gallo) as well as daily and weekly specials like posole, menudo, ceviche and other seafood dishes.
“it was nice to see everyone here together. It was stressful, but it was rewarding, everyone enjoying the food,” Canales Jr. said. “My next goal is to get the business running, establishing a regular clientele and building customer relationships.”
The 2009 Live Oak High School alumnus had similar thoughts seven years earlier to start his own business but failed to come up with the startup money for a food truck which, brand new, can cost between $40,000 to $70,000. Instead, he attended Gavilan College and earned an associate’s degree in administrative justice with a career path of becoming a police officer. But his passion for cooking soon trumped everything else.
“Having my own business is something I always wanted to do,” said Canales Jr., who recalled at age 5 spending long hours in a restaurant his mother and uncle co-owned in Manteca. “I would throw on an apron and act like I was helping people out….It’s something I was born into.”
Now, some roles have changed, as Canales Jr. is owner and operator with his mother in the kitchen with him handling orders as they fly in as his “head chef on the salsas (because) there’s nothing better than mom’s cooking.” His father chips in when he’s not working construction and so does 13-year-old sister Jennifer.
Inside the spacious 14-foot food truck, which passed inspection by Santa Clara County officials June 11, is a seafood station, a salad prep area filled with all the Mexican garnishes, a handwash station, a three-compartment sink, overhead storage cabinets, an air conditioning unit, a griddle flat “where the magic happens” and hood, a fryer, two burners, a steam table for rice and beans, refrigerators and a fire system.
“When (the county) inspected the trailer, it was a big milestone for me and my family,” said Canales Jr., a St. Catherine Parish member who did a test run outside the west Morgan Hill congregation for inspectors. “I was excited, but now it’s the real deal. I’ve got to get the business running and promote it because I’m risking it all.”
It’s a risk that comes with a family blessing, as well.
“I’m very happy because I see this as our future,” said Marta, the proud mother whose words were translated by Canales Jr. “The potential is there to expand (the business) as well.”
For now, though, Canales Jr. couldn’t be happier with where he’s at and who he’s with.
El Taco Feliz
- Stop by at 13320 Depot Street in San Martin
- Place orders to go or for catering reservations call (408) 706-6596 or email at El**********@ya***.com
- Follow “El Taco Feliz” on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
