When Gustavo Gonzalez came back to Hollister four years ago, it wasn’t with the intention of opening a restaurant.
Born in Hollister, Gonzalez lived here for six years before his parents took him and his family to their native Mexico, where he was raised.
The owner of the restaurant space near the corner of San Benito and Fifth streets, which had been empty for three years prior to the opening of La Catrina Mexican Grill, offered Gonzalez a place to start his cookie business, La Jerezana. “The owner of the building lent us the kitchen to bake the cookies,” he said. “From there, we would distribute them to Hispanic supermarkets in the Bay Area.”
It was then that the owner of the space approached Gonzalez about the idea to open up a restaurant. “The owner was very supportive and lent us some furniture,” he said. “We were able to get a small business loan and along with some saving we opened La Catrina.”
The restaurant opened its doors on June 26, 2014, Gonzalez said, because he wanted to offer different dishes than what other restaurants offer. “We wanted to be another dining option in Hollister so people wouldn’t have to travel out of town,” he said.
The restaurant is family owned with Gonzalez’s children Gustavo, Paulina and Alejandra running the front and his wife, Alejandra, who studied cooking in Mexico, is in charge of the kitchen and recipes.
“All the food is fresh nothing comes from a can and we try to make everything as healthy as possible,” Gonzalez said.
The restaurant puts on events at night so people don’t have to go out of town. “We have mariachi night, ‘rock en español’ and conjunto norteño nights,” Gonzalez said.
In December 2014, Gonzalez hosted his first-ever nonprofit event to raise awareness about homeless people in Hollister and ever since then Gonzalez has teamed up with various nonprofits. He allows them to use his restaurant to raise funds and spread awareness, resulting in a space that is truly for the community.
“The community of Hollister has supported us and welcomed us with their business, so we decided to give back to the community by helping non profits,” he said.
La Catrina on May 3 hosted and provided free appetizers and music for the Latino Generations Committee Social Event for Silicon Valley Gives in partnership with the Community Foundation for San Benito County.
Gonzalez hopes La Catrina keeps on growing and becomes a favorite dining option so residents and visitors alike stay and spend their money in Hollister.
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