Marco and Eduardo Ariano start their days early. Marco begins with prep work in the kitchen while Eduardo counts tips from the previous night then starts juicing lemons and limes for the margaritas. Their parents, Victoria Gonzalez and Antonio Ariano, join Marco in the kitchen before the restaurant opens for lunch. When El Nopalito opens at 11 a.m., the entire family is on the floor, ready to conquer whatever the day has to throw at them.
El Nopalito is a new brick-and-mortar restaurant on Willamette Street, where the Ariano family is serving up Mexico City-style street food. The Arianos are well acquainted with the Eugene food scene, with resumes that boast names like Black Wolf Supper Club, Sabai, Meiji, and Claim 52. Now, the Arianos are ready to bring their food to Eugene, their way: authentic cuisine using only the freshest ingredients.
“We don’t want to be just another Mexican restaurant,” Eduardo said. “We want to show people real, authentic food.”
From food truck to restaurant
El Nopalito opened as a food truck in October of 2023. Marco was tired of restaurant work at the time, and after taking a few months off, his parents suggested the family open a food truck together…