Mexican Restaurant Opens 1st Brick-And-Mortar Location In Anne Arundel County

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Food is family at the newest Mexican restaurant in Annapolis.

"Some dishes are from my grandmother. My grandmother taught my mom," said Pedro Soto, the 19-year-old manager of Antojitos La Mexicana.

Pedro's aunt, Cecilia Soto, owns the eatery located in the Gardner Center at 1912 Forest Drive. This is the family's first sit-down restaurant in Anne Arundel County.

The business started as a food truck in 2016, next to Bayside Pediatrics at 2024 West St. The Sotos expanded to Howard County three years later, opening their first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Jessup at 7915 Waterloo Road. Both outposts remain open to this day.

The new Annapolis eatery debuted in mid-August with seating for about 32 customers.

Bright yellow walls with lime green trim are decorated with portraits of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. Polaroid photos of the eatery's 11 employees are perched above the window into the kitchen.

Though young, working in a restaurant is second nature for Pedro.

"I started doing this when I was 9," he told Patch in an exclusive interview. "Me and my brother, we've been doing this since we were young."

Pedro's father also passed away when he was 9. His relatives proved a sturdy foundation through the loss.

"To work with family, to me, it's a blessing," Pedro said. "We support each other as much as we possibly can."

His aunt has been a strong role model.

"She's disciplined. She's educated," Pedro said of his aunt-turned-boss. "[She's] like my second mother."

Now business partners, the duo serves up breakfast burritos and tacos. Enchiladas and quesadillas are other staples.

For an authentic Mexican dish, try the chile relleno, a stuffed and fried poblano pepper.

Pedro's favorites are the bistec a la Mexicana, thinly sliced steak smothered in stewed tomatoes and jalapeños. He also enjoys the flautas, which are tortillas stuffed with a savory filling and then fried.

Patrons can wash down their meals with cantaloupe, hibiscus and passion fruit juices.

"Everything's authentic," Pedro said. "Everything is cooked fresh every day. Nothing we carry is processed."

Antojitos La Mexicana, which translates roughly to "Mexican snacks," is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Customers can follow the business on Instagram @_AntojitosLaMexicana.

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