Mi Tierra staff are ‘very surprised’ by the fanfare following the taqueria and market’s reopening.

After being shuttered for renovations since 2022, the owners and staff of Mi Tierra Taqueria y Mercado expected an enthusiastic response for their long-anticipated reopening on June 12. However, they had no idea just how many Monterey County residents would flock to the longtime Seaside favorite on opening day, forming a line that stretched out the door and into the parking lot.

“We were very, very surprised by the grand opening,” says Mi Tierra General Manager Maria Esquivel. “We were expecting people but we really didn’t imagine the magnitude of people that showed up. It was amazing and such a great feeling to see the community come out and support us.”

Esquivel says that in the weeks after the grand opening, the number of customers coming into the establishment never actually decreased, despite the lines and wait times for food getting shorter. Mi Tierra’s staff, she says, whether in the market or the taqueria, just adjusted to the high volume of customers.

“I wouldn’t say the lines have died down,” Esquivel says. “They’re just a little more manageable. The line at the taqueria has been consistent. The additional training we are providing has just made everyone a little bit faster.”

She says that there have been some small adjustments in the store and restaurant but her main focus has been on ensuring that all the employees, from the cooks to the cashiers, are trained in the art of customer service and that everyone who walks in the door walks out satisfied with their experience and with the items they were looking for.

“Right now there has been some trial and error in figuring out what’s working for our customers,” Esquivel says. “If something isn’t working for our customers, then we are going to make additional changes. We are seeing a new set of faces now, which is amazing. We are very fortunate to have those return customers and new customers.”

Although the renovation of Mi Tierra – originally slated to last six to eight months – took close to four years, the time and effort have paid off. Aside from the barrel roof, the building is completely transformed, with large, stylized letters reading “Mi Tierra Mercado y Taqueria” on a stylish facade overlooking a new outdoor dining area that had been an asphalt parking lot. The previous drab yellow paint job was updated to a pristine, modern look.

The inside of Mi Tierra is also unrecognizable compared to its previous form, with the taqueria, for example, moved to the front of the space, allowing the expansion of the carniceria and produce department, as well as new additions such as the panaderia, which features pan dulce and churros among other sweet treats.

“We do have a lot of bakeries in the area, but our bakery department has been well received by our customers,” says Esquivel. “It’s growing little by little and we are making sure it’s up to our customers’ standards.”

Esquivel says that the expanded produce department, which is a massive refrigerated space – good for a hot day – has been popular among customers, along with the new and improved meat department. On the taqueria side, she says that the tacos and burritos have been the most sought-after menu items. Before it closed, the taqueria was a destination.

“Based on what we’ve heard, everyone was ready for the tacos,” says Esquivel. “Especially the al pastor.”

Before the opening, Esquivel says people would often ask her when Mi Tierra would reopen. Now that the renovation is complete, she says friends and family tell her how surprised and impressed they are by the renovation.

“It’s a completely different store from the original store,” Esquivel says. “The length of time that it took to reopen is all worth it once we hear from all the great compliments that we’re getting about the new store.”

With a constant stream of Seasiders coming in for unique grocery items and tacos, al pastor or otherwise, Esquivel says that she is grateful that she doesn’t have to focus on the sales side and can instead continue to dial in the customer service experience for new and returning patrons.

“We are always making sure we have great products on the shelves, and everything is fresh,” she says.

MI TIERRA MERCADO Y TAQUERIA, 1000 Broadway Ave., Seaside. (831) 281-7905.