The Galdamez family is finally working for itself. Miguel and Alba Galdanez moved to Northern Virginia in 1984 from El Salvadore and spent nearly 30 years working odd jobs while raising their five children. On June 29, the family fulfilled a longtime dream and opened El Carbonero Salvadorian Cuisine at 7230 Lockport Pl. in Lorton.
"I want to work for my family, for us, not for anyone else. I'm glad to know I can do that," said Alba to Patch. "One of our dreams is now starting."
Alba - one of 12 - is widely considered the best cook in the family and spent decades cooking at restaurants and hotels across Northern Virginia and DC. Twenty years ago she started selling her own cooking at the Arlington County Fair and the Montgomery Fairgrounds.
"We were always asked where our restaurant was or when it was going to open," said daughter Teresa Galdamez, who manages the restaurant with sister Vanessa. "It's mom's cooking, just like home. It's comfort food for Latinos - you get the real deal here, authentic El Salvadorian and Tex Mex. People walk away satisfied."
Miguel washed dishes for four years in restaurants and worked in construction for 25 years.
"We came here 30 years ago and I've worked for too many places," he said.
American Bar-B-Que & Catering occupied the property at 7230 Lockport Place for more than 30 years, until it closed at the end of March, 2012.
The Galdamez family is putting in 12-15 hour days, seven days a week.
"I see us being here for 30 years with our own kids running the business," said Teresa, who has three children (Vanessa has four kids). "And if you make it in this economy you'll make it in any economy. We've put our heart, our souls, every energy of our being into this."
El Carbonero delivers within a 10-mile radius ($20 minimum) and is open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Mon. - Thurs., 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Fri., 9 a.m - 9 p.m. on Sat. and from 9 a.m - 6 p.m. on Sunday.
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