Cortez family takes a taste of Mi Tierra to Northwest Side

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – The Cortez restaurant family is taking a taste of Mi Tierra to the far Northwest Side.

Their fifth restaurant, Mi Familia de Mi Tierra, is set to open Tuesday at The Rim Shopping Center on IH 10 near La Cantera Parkway.

It’s the family’s only restaurant outside downtown San Antonio. Mi Tierra, La Margarita and Viva Villa are located in Market Square, and Pico de Gallo is just a few blocks away.

“We’ve been thinking about going beyond the Market Square area and the opportunity came up to buy this real estate on IH 10,” said David Cortez, son of the founders of the iconic Mi Tierra restaurant.

He says coming up with the name was easy.

“It’s always been about family since my father opened the first restaurant in 1941,” Cortez told KTSA News.

He said they consider their employees part of the “familia.”

“Our chef is starting his 50th year with us, and these are the people who are part of the family,” said Cortez. “Our company is built on three pillars –comida, familia y cultura (food, family and culture).”

As you enter Mi Familia restaurant, you’ll see a large portrait of Cortez’s parents, Pedro and Cruz Cortez. Under the painting are several candles, similar to an altar. There are outdoor seating areas with fountains, and the main dining area has colorful metallic papel picado hanging from the ceiling with year-round Christmas trees and pinatas around the room, similar to those at Mi Tierra.

Like Mi Tierra, Mi Familia has a bakery and a Mariachi Bar with instruments and framed mariachi outfits of well-known artists.  There’s also a private dining area for business meetings, a photo and a mural in progress.

 

The newest Cortez family restaurant is scheduled to open at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.