About Us

A legacy of generations rooted in one truth: every step in the kitchen matters. 

Our story begins in Villegas, Jalisco, a small ranch surrounded by cornfields, where my great grandmother Catalina built a reputation for her cooking. Her cooking was guided by intuition, care, and a deep understanding of flavor, forming the foundation of Catalina's Mexican Kitchen. 

Her cherished recipes were passed to her daughter, Angela, known as Mami Angelita, who continued the tradition. Alongside her was Papi Pillo, whose refined palate shaped the discipline behind how our family cooks to this day, reflecting the essence of a true Mexican restaurant experience.

Many years ago in Villegas, Jalisco, One afternoon, while preparing caldo de res Mami Angelita forgot to season the meat at the beginning of the process. When Papi Pillo tasted the dish, he immediately noticed something was missing. 

He asked her, 'Did you season the meat on its own?' She had forgotten, and he noticed right away. 

That moment became a standard in our family: every step matters. 

From seasoning each ingredient individually to respecting timing, texture, and preparation, nothing is overlooked in our homestyle cooking. In our family kitchen, the way something is done matters just as much as what is made.

These recipes were then passed to my mother, who refined them through years of  cooking for a large family. 

As her first born daughter, I learned by her side, not just through instruction, but through repetition, discipline, and presence. The story of Papi Pillo and the caldo de res was told to me by my mother often, over and over, and it stayed with me. 

My path led me beyond the kitchen before bringing me back to Catalina's Mexican Kitchen. I studied Accountancy at California State University, Long Beach, and later worked alongside experienced restaurant operators who deepened my understanding of presentation, texture, and detail in  cooking. 

Now, I bring all of it together. 

What we serve is a continuation of a family standard built over generations. Every ingredient is treated with intention. Every step is respected. 

We look forward to sharing a tradition that has been passed down, perfected, and preserved through generations.