Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, located on Manchaca Road, has become a popular food truck. It attracts large crowds daily and often sells out of its meat before noon.

Many critics, including the respected Texas Monthly magazine, have given praise to the owner and operator Miguel Vidal.

Before opening Valentina’s, Vidal grew up in San Antonio, spending 17 years in the service industry and applying his family values to his work environment. Vidal grew up working in restaurants since he was 15, and once he moved to Austin he wanted to share the Tex Mex recipes he had grown up eating. It’s not the common type of Tex-Mex seen all over town. It inspired him to open up his own food truck, which attracts large crowds.

“The goal was to always become a restaurant, it was the least expensive way to get a business going,” Vidal said. “Food and family go hand in hand.”

Looking at the menu you notice there are two sides to the menu: Tex and Mex“What we do is cook our barbecue the same,” Vidal said. “For Tex we cook the brisket and add condiments such as pickles to it. Tex Mex version is taking the same meat but adding condiments such as salsa.”

Vidal recommends people trying the brisket tacos.

“It’s not on the menu, but if they (customers) want a different texture they should try that,”Vidal said.

Valentina’s Tex-Mex BBQ used to be located on Brodie Lane so Vidal could be closer to his family and serve his neighborhood.

“We [eventually] grew out of that area and got a piece of property there [Manchaca Lane].”

Vidal said he likes to think that his business has been a success because they pay attention to detail try to do the best with their food and treat clients the best they can.

“It comes from our attitude and effort we put in” Vidal said. “I’m on site everyday and it’s the hard work and dedication and trying to treat everyone like family.”

Vidal has a saying that he and his workers to live by.

“Hecho con amor,” Vidal said. “It means made with love.