Hola!
Our Story
The story behind El Patron Restaurant.
Growing up on a farm in Veracruz Mexico with six siblings, food was naturally a central part of chef Rogelio Sosa’s life.
“My father grew corn, beans, jalapeños, tomatoes, cactus - we had cows and chickens and pigs, even a fish farm,” Sosa said, who was second oldest. “I had to learn from my mother all the recipes to make for my brothers.”
Sosa’s face takes on a look of nostalgia as he talks about those days, “It is a connection with my father” he said. “I love all the flavors and trying new things.”
The logo of his restaurant El Patron - “The boss” in Spanish - features a stylized portrait of Sosa’s father. Sosa and his wife, Lucy, now have three locations.
“Everything is made from scratch even the chips and tortillas are made in house.” Said Lucy Sosa. We mix our own seasoning, it’s all fresh.”
Sosa came first to North Carolina from Mexico in 2001, working on farms and in restaurants at different locations until he met the woman he would marry in Virginia Beach in 2003. Together, they came to the Fredericksburg the following year.
After saving their money and working together toward their goal, they opened their first restaurant in 2014, and the next one in 2017.
Sosa recipe is made in a tradicional Mexican three-legged stone pot, called a molcajete.
“It is one of my mother’s recipes, one we would make in the spring “he said” It is nice to eat with the margarita, very satisfying”.
Principles
our values
- Authenticity
We honor the rich traditions of Mexican cuisine, crafting every dish with authentic ingredients and techniques to deliver an unforgettable dining experience. - Hospitality
Our guests are family. We are dedicated to creating a warm, welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and cared for. - Quality
We are committed to using only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients in every dish and drink we serve, ensuring exceptional flavors and satisfaction. - Community
El Patron is more than a restaurant; it’s a part of the local community. We believe in giving back and supporting the people and culture around us. - Teamwork
Success comes from working together. We foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and growth among our staff, ensuring a harmonious and efficient team. - Innovation
While we honor tradition, we also embrace creativity, offering unique menu items and modern twists on classic dishes to excite and inspire our guests. - Sustainability
We are mindful of our impact on the environment, striving to implement sustainable practices in our sourcing, operations, and waste management. - Integrity
We act with honesty and uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, treating our guests, employees, and partners with fairness and respect. - Passion
Our passion for food, culture, and service drives everything we do, from the preparation of our meals to the interactions with our guests. - Cultural Pride
We celebrate and share the vibrant heritage of Mexican culture through our flavors, ambiance, and festive spirit.
- We will always treat everyone in our company equally & with the utmost respect, knowing that every individual has unique worth.
- We are dedicated to serving only freshly prepared food, to keeping our restaurants spotless & to providing exceptional service at all times.
- We will have fun working in our restaurants & our guests will feel the high-energy, yet laid-back atmosphere.
