Three generations of women are at the helm of Ensenada ATX, a food truck that brings the flavors of Baja California to East Austin. Established by Cristina Everett, her mother Liz, and her daughter Christelle, the truck has been serving Baja-style seafood tacos since it opened in June 2022.
In a recent episode of Tacos of Texas, Cristina shared insights about the roots of their culinary venture, the traditions of seafood cuisine from Ensenada, and the challenges they face in the bustling Austin food scene.
Bringing Ensenada to Austin
“We brought exactly what you would find in Ensenada to Austin,” Cristina explained. Growing up in Ensenada, she was immersed in the vibrant street food culture and seafood offerings that define the coastal city.
“They claim that the birthplace of the fish taco is in Ensenada,” she noted, highlighting the abundance of fresh seafood and the prevalence of fish tacos throughout the city. “The culture in Ensenada is about street food.”
The family also draws inspiration from Mercado Negro, Ensenada’s famous seafood market. “Our aprons at Ensenada are yellow because the people who sell you the fish in Ensenada are always wearing yellow aprons,” Cristina said. “We wanted to honor that and bring it fully to Austin.”
Three Generations of Women Behind Ensenada ATX
The concept for Ensenada ATX originated when Cristina’s sister, Stephanie, relocated to Austin. “When she moved out here, she was like, ‘Mom, there are no tacos,’” Cristina recalled. Stephanie encouraged their mother, Liz, to bring their beloved flavors to Texas and launch a food truck.
With Cristina’s experience operating food trucks in San Diego, the family launched a business that embodies their generational legacy. “My mom, my sister, myself, and Christelle, my daughter, are the three generations involved,” she stated.
Cristina attributes her mother’s strong work ethic as a significant influence on the family. “My mom has been a hustler ever since I can remember,” she said. “Even when we were in school, she sold cheesecakes and was always finding ways to support us.”
Liz’s entrepreneurial spirit has also inspired Christelle. “My mom was frying the fish, and Christelle was cleaning tables. When our AC went off, my mom said, ‘If we can do this, we can do anything,’” Cristina shared, noting that this experience ignited Christelle’s own ambitions. “That’s when Christelle was like, ‘I want to make brownies, Nana, you don’t have desserts!’ It all came together.”
From Taco Truck to Store Shelves
The flavors of Ensenada have expanded beyond the food truck. In 2023, Cristina launched Ensenada Salsas, bringing her signature salsa macha—a staple condiment in Ensenada—to retail stores. Describing it as “the Mexican version of the Asian chili oil,” she admitted feeling apprehensive about pitching her product to stores.
However, her daughter’s encouragement helped her push through her nerves. “She said, ‘Mom, you taught me how to be brave. Now you go in there and do it, or do you want me to go in there?’” Cristina recounted. “I decided to go, and the store accepted my salsa.”
Building on Family Values
Establishing a food business comes with its own set of challenges, including long hours and unexpected hurdles. Cristina emphasizes the importance of patience, research, and learning from mistakes. She also remains committed to the values that guide her family’s customer relations: consistency and kindness.
“It’s about showing up every day, doing things right, and treating people the way you want to be treated, because that leaves a mark,” she said.
For those eager to experience Baja-style seafood in Austin, Cristina offers a simple invitation: “They don’t have to pay an expensive ticket to get to Baja. They can just have Baja right here.”
Listeners can explore the full discussion on the Tacos of Texas podcast.
