Small businesses are the backbone of the community, and on the Southside, Rollies Mexican Patio is showing what that really looks like.
I met with the owners of Rollies Mexican Patio, located off 12th Avenue and Ohio Street, to learn about their impact beyond the kitchen. The restaurant isn’t just a place to eat; it is a place built on family, culture and community ties.
“I knew I wanted to be a chef at 5 years old; my tata was a chef here in Tucson, and one day he took me to work with him. I thought it was the coolest thing just to see him work and melt butter,” said Mateo Otero, chef and co-owner of Rollies Mexican Patio. “Right then, I knew I wanted to be a chef, and I’ve been getting a paycheck for cooking since I was 14 years old at different restaurants here in town.”…