Farolito Restaurant a longtime Hispanic staple in Abilene

ABILENE, Texas — It's Hispanic Heritage Month - and one of the oldest restaurants in Abilene is Hispanic-owned.

Since the 1930s, Farolito Restaurant has been a staple in Abilene - not only for the Hispanic community, but for the the city as a whole.

Mark Herrera is the third generation owner of Farolito - which was the dream of his grandparents.

"I've been doing this since the late 80s, so over 30 years," he said. "I just hope to keep their dream going."

It's been at the same location, with the same recipes, owned by the same family - for 87 years. Herrera's mother Anita Flores Herrera has worked here since the 1960s.

"The food's the same, the customers are different of course, but everything's the same," she said.

Customers new and old have been returning year after year.

"If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here still," said Herrera. "I'm very appreciative of them still being here, coming and supporting us."

Herrera hopes to see the restaurant live to year 100 and to continue representing Hispanic heritage in the Abilene community.

"It feels really good," he said. "It makes you feel special in this town, to know that they've been coming for so long, that they've been here for so long."

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