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Restaurant Is Family's Dream

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

Maria Mendoza prepares lunch this month at Malena’s Mexican Restaurant, which she operates with her husband and three of their children.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2008

TAMPA - A family's dream of a restaurant has come true with the opening of Malena's Mexican Restaurant.

Daniel and Maria Mendoza of Temple Terrace and three of their grown children are operating the month-old restaurant at 2320 E. Fletcher Ave. with Maria Mendoza as the chief cook. Daughter Jessica Lugo of New Tampa is the manager and said she had to be the one to get the business up and running because her parents don't speak English.

Daniel and Maria Mendoza and their five children came from Mexico, where they owned a restaurant, almost 10 years ago. Here, Daniel Mendoza worked in construction and his wife cleaned houses.

About four years ago, the Mendozas opened a lunch wagon at 138th Avenue and 20th Street, serving tacos, burritos and other items on weekends.

The menu at the restaurant features traditional Mexican food: burritos, tacos, tamales, tostadas, soups and tortas (Mexican sandwiches).

"Mom wanted to have real Mexican, not like Tex-Mex," Lugo said, adding that one difference is the spices used.

"Malena" is a combination of Lugo's mother's names: Maria Elena.

Lenora Lake

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