A chance meeting at a New Year’s Eve party in Boston, Mass., wasn’t just the beginning of a 22-year romance. It sparked the realization of a lifelong dream held by an ambitious, yet fun-loving local couple: owning their own restaurant.

Rigoberto Figueroa and his wife Gilma are two of four owners of Picante’s Mexican Grill, located on East Broad Street.

“Well, do you remember?”

“Well, it was so long ago…I think—”

“He doesn’t remember,” Gilma Figueroa laughs as she recalls the beginning of their story.

Back in 1989, and up until right before the restaurant opened in 2007, the Figueroas only had about three years of experience in the food service industry between them, all of which was Mr. Figueroa’s experience as a cook.

April of this year will mark the fourth year since Picante’s Mexican Grill has been in business. For Mr. Figueroa, the reason for opening the restaurant was simple:

“I didn’t want to work for someone else.”

Built in April 2007, Picante’s Mexican Grill is unique in that it is a Mexican restaurant owned by four Salvadorian partners, including the Figueroas.

The Figueroas found the property, previously called the Bombay Café, through a real estate agent. Local contractor, Elrod Sims, was then hired to help renovate the space into a Mexican-themed restaurant.

Why a Mexican restaurant?

“Mexican food was more popular and there are not many Salvadorian people in Athens,” Mr. Figueroa says.

When asked how their first day of business went, the couple looked at each other and shared a chuckle.

“Bad. It’s not a chain restaurant. You struggle a lot,” Mrs. Figueroa said.

The food served at Picante’s is distinctive in that it is kept authentic while still offering healthier varieties of fresh vegetables and grilled meats: and all ingredients are prepared without oil, sugars or lard.

“Also, we give out free salsa and chips,” Mr. Figueroa adds with a grin.

As far as future plans are concerned, the Figueroas are living out their dream and have no desire to add other ventures to it. They are happy simply being in Athens and being able to run Picante’s Mexican Grill together.

“We just want to stay right here for a while,” Mr. Figueroa says.

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