Oak Cliff is home to many eloteros. Many “corn men” serve the same dish: corn in a cup with mayonnaise, butter and cheese. Of course, you can add hot sauce if needed. However, “El Mero Mero Elotero” has aspired to be more than just an average elotero.
Photography by Lauren Allen
Photography by Lauren Allen
Photography by Lauren Allen
Photography by Lauren Allen
Rafael Peña and Amanda Monroy opened shop in 2021, as they took a chance on a new opportunity. It was there they found their passion for serving food. Their mission was to create food items that appealed to a variety of customers.
“Well, our goal is always to be different,” Monroy says. “So, that’s why we always included different food items and changed up the menu.”
You can find them all over Dallas serving items such as nachos, smash burgers, Mexican loaded hot dogs and aguas frescas.
The Dallas couple plans to further expand their menu as they recently upgraded to a food truck. This new transportation service will allow them to serve items outside their comfort zone.
“Now, with a truck, it makes it much more versatile,” Peña says. “I can do a whole lot more than I envisioned, and I still plan on hopefully bringing things that really appeal to everybody, so we’ll see.”
Since the truck comes with multiple stoves and a burner, it will allow them to incorporate more items they never had.
One of the new items that Monroy hopes to include is pizza.
“I’ve been thinking of doing a Mexican-style pizza, which is really cool because we do a Mexican-style burger, and again, it’s always hard switching these menu items, but now we can actually serve them more often,” Monroy says. “So, that’s always going to be pretty fun.”
Other possible food items include carne asada, enchiladas and sopas, all of which will be easier now that they have a food truck.
“I hope to start making chocomiles. I grew up eating chocomiles. Man, those were a favorite of mine in the morning, like with some breakfast tacos or a little breakfast torta; it was amazing,” Peña says.
The couple got their food truck inspiration from local markets and food venues. They used their past childhood experience and diverse food knowledge to bring their inspiration to life.
“I’m no stranger; I was born in Texas. I love steak, I love this, I love that, so there’s potential for everything,” Peña says. “You start seeing a whole variety of stuff in the market, and that’s why I say we’re in a sense always having different stuff and playing with stuff and moving stuff around, and it always reminded me of a market because in the market you would find breakfast, lunch, dinner all in one spot.”
With the food truck and menu intact, the couple will now revamp themselves to “El Mero Mero.” It’s a name they feel distinguishes themselves from when they first started off as an elotero. It also spurs future changes, as the duo has plans to take their food truck dreams to the next level.
“I feel like we did want to start with the elote cart, and then we wanted to end up with the food truck and then a restaurant, so for right now, I think we’re on track,” Peña says.
While the couple shared their dreams for the business, they also hope to build the impact they have on their community.
“It’s been a couple years now, and I love being a part of the community. I grew up a part of the community, and I would love to make the truck a part of the community,” Peña says. “If possible, I want to get in stadiums, I want to go here, I want to go there. I mean, I took a big investment because I thought I deserved it, and I appreciate the people that love my food and hope to bring that to everybody. Now, it’ll be more accommodating for everyone.”
El Mero Mero, 310 Jefferson Blvd. 469.677.4767
