Abuelita, I Am Your Grandson

A wholesome, yet whimsical collection of autobiographical stories of a son learning the ropes of his family’s business, a Mexican restaurant.  

Julio’s Café opened more like an emergency parachute than it did like an eatery. Lucero’s father, also Julio, could not endure cubicle life and thought roasting chickens was his best way out. With the help of his suegra and sister-n-law, Lucero’s endeavor not only bore fruit, but also laid down a foundation for the following generation. 

Nearly four decades, and several twists and turns later, Lucero’s ex-wife and eldest son shouldered the torch of the restaurant. Until one day, an impossible decision stood before the family, one that questioned the sustainability and longevity of the business. With memories still intact, Lucero’s son began to collect and document his own experience working in the family business.  

Abuelita, I Am Your Grandson is a tune that hits every note on the scale, ranging from Mexican gastronomy, to business, to lessons in language and culture. Told through snapshots and not one throughline, Lucero’s collection is impactful, yet economical, perfect for readers who crave bite-sized snacks over a laborious meal. Buen Provecho.

Shop local and pick up a copy at Reverie Books, Mexic-Arte Museum, BookPeople, Birdhouse Books, La Peña, and First Light Book Shop.

San Antonio locations include Pandora’s Bookstore, The Twig Book Shop, and The Guadalupe Cultural Art Center Latino Bookstore.