It was first announced back in September that Eagle Grove’s original Mexican food truck would be transitioning to a full taqueria. As promised by owner Karina Juarez, the new location for Valentinas opened last week, on the corner of Broadway and Commercial, across the street from the old Ben Franklin and the La Bonita restaurant.
The new location features indoor seating and an expanded menu to go with the larger space, but it retains its original food truck vibe thanks to the clever addition of a walk-up window. Meaning Valentina’s will still be everyone’s favorite (and only) choice for late night vittles Friday and Saturday nights. Juarez is even keeping the “Mexican Food Truck” name, if only as an homage to her humble beginnings.
Named after Juarez’s daughter Valentina, the restaurant is the culmination of Karina’s dream. A dream that started when she was just a little girl. Growing up as part of a family in the restaurant and grocery business in Mexico, Juarez (who always loved to cook) looked forward to the day she would one day own a restaurant of her own.
These days the next generation of that family business has invested heavily in both Eagle Grove and Clarion. Between Juarez, her sister Sophia Martinez Velasquez, and her nephew Nathan Cabrera own and operate three businesses at the heart of downtown Eagle Grove, and one in Clarion. Here in Eagle Grove Martinez Velasquez owns the extremely popular Nuevo Jalapeno latin dance club, while Carbrera owns the Bubble Cow Ice Cream Parlor and Bakery. And in Clarion Martinez Velasquez owns the La Tienda Mexicana grocery and the Jalapeno restaurant, which moved to Clarion from Eagle Grove in 2021.
The new Valentinas features a large dining space, an expanded kitchen and an expanded menu to go with it. Both of food, and beverages, with beverage selections now including both Mexican sodas, horchata, and now beer, as well! There’s also an all new dessert menu. And the decor features a fun, rustic vibe which Juarez acknowledges pretty much came with the place, which she liked so much she largely left it as it was.
“I’m so happy,” said Juarez, “for years I’ve been dreaming of this.”
But it was young Valentina, just eight years old, who spoke most poignantly about her mom’s big business move. “She has had this dream for a long time, as I know,” said Valentina, “and I just feel like she’s the best Mom ever! I’m so proud of her! Her dream came true!”
