Food & Beer
LET'S EAT! By Dana Melius
southern mn style Pablo Rivera, owner of the Mis Tres Flores Mexican restaurant in Waseca, is shown here with dos of his tres flores: Ailim and Emely.
Mis Tres Flores
Waseca’s ‘People’s Choice’ winner loves its community
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nn Fitch, executive director of the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce, wasn’t certain how the organization’s 2021 business award vote would go. Billed as the “People’s Choice,” online voting was opened up to the general public. “This is the first time we have done an award like this where we have the public choose,” Fitch said, reflecting on last fall’s decision. “Typically, it is only Chamber members that get to vote.” You see, Fitch’s job is to promote 40 • APRIL 2022 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
Photos by Robb Murray and support all Chamber of Commerce members. Waseca voters made it easy on her. Pablo and Lucy Rivera, owners of Mis Tres Flores, won the firstever crystal trophy as the “People’s Choice.” “The response was great,” Fitch said, “and they were a clear winner. They were surprised to win and it was an emotional reception of the award.” Over five years on the south side of Waseca, starting from scratch, the Riveras had won the community’s solid support. And
Pablo has since made sure to let Wasecans know how appreciative his family is of that patronage. Coming into the U.S. in the late ‘90s, Pablo and Lucy were neighbors, living just outside Mexico City. The journey took them to California in 1998 before Pablo heard Minnesota might be the place to call home. “I like Minnesota, especially Waseca,” Pablo said, taking a brief break from serving customers. “And I love Waseca. They have a very nice heart.” It was that heart of community
