The vision of Mamasitas Mexican Grill began in Durango, Durango, Mexico when Joel Contreras, at the age of 14, chose to leave the life of poverty in Mexico for the dreams of America. After arriving in Midland, TX, with only an older cousin, Joel began working as a dishwasher at Mission Dorado Country Club. Over the next several years, while learning to speak English, Joel worked his way up in the restaurant industry, eventually becoming the Assistant Manager of Jorge's Café in Odessa, TX. After 7 years with Jorge's Café, Joel went to work with his cousin, Tony Cardenas, at Tequila Tony's. Tequila Tony's is the first restaurant in which Joel had the freedom to design and create the menu and flavors of the restaurant. He also met the men who would eventually become father figures, mentors, and financiers for his future restaurants. Other than G-d, Frank H. Eaton and Michael Killman will forever be the men who helped to take Joel's vision and turn it into a reality. Finally, Tequila Tony's is also the place where Joel met his soulmate and future wife, Noemi.
In 2001, Joel had the opportunity to go into a partnership and open his first restaurant, Ay Papasitos, in Odessa, TX. After a mere 8 months, Joel left the partnership to pursue his dreams by opening Viva Villa in Midland, TX. Viva Villa was opened in 2002 with the help of Frank H. Eaton and Michael Killman. In 2005 due to high rents and a lack of experience, he was forced to close Viva Villa and re-open it on Interstate 20 as a restaurant/club. Once again, due to poor business decisions and a lack of experience Viva Villa closed for good in 2005.
2007, Joel decided to give restaurant ownership another shot by opening Mamasitas Mexican Grill on Grandview Ave. in Odessa, TX. With $25.00 in his pocket, a newfound faith, and a vision, he and Noemi worked to build, what is today a successful, thriving, family restaurant, serving the freshest flavors of Mexico. In 2010, with the restaurant beginning to thrive, the dream began to crash. Joel was arrested and put in deportation proceedings for an immigration violation and was forced to fight to avoid deportation. While in immigration detention, Joel worked with Noemi over the phone to purchase supplies and manage the restaurant from afar. In immigration detention, Joel leaned on his faith and began preaching to the other inmates and helping them with their legal cases. Frank Eaton, Mike Killman and many of our current suppliers stepped in to help guide Noemi and keep the restaurant open and running as smoothly as possible. After 9 months of detention, and with the help of many who believed in Joel, he was cleared of all charges and released from immigration detention. In 2014, Joel proudly became a United States citizen.
During the ups and downs of the last 14 years, Joel and Noemi have raised their family, son Joel, daughter Jennifer and son Alejandro, in the restaurant industry. Jennifer continues to work as the manager of their sister restaurant, La Burreria, Joel is in the police academy with a degree in criminal justice and Alejandro is pursuing his education to become a physical therapist. However, their three children are not the only family they surround themselves with. They have built their restaurant family, many of whom have been with Joel since the first restaurant in 2002. Erika, Victor, Teresa, Addai, Lidia, Maiztro, Nora, Champagne and many others are the heart of the restaurant, who continue to bring the long-ago vision to life every day.
