Let’s Eat

By Dana Melius

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

Photos by Robb Murray

Ann 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 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

What: Mis Tres Flores Where: 100 10th Ave. S.E., Waseca, MN 56093 What they’re known for: Authentic, homemade Mexican food, smiles and community support When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Saturday https://www.facebook.com/MTFPABLO

members who convinced Pablo to stay put in Waseca. He had worked several years at another established and popular Mexican restaurant, El Molino, which had won Waseca’s “Business of the Year” in 2016. But family and friends were trying to talk Pablo into starting a restaurant in Faribault.

Pablo told those friends he was happy for their support but wondered if that support might instead be provided to his family for a start-up venture in Waseca. Couple that with what Pablo proudly calls his “farmer friends,” “Mis Tres Flores” became a reality.

The name and signage are tributes to his wife and two daughters – My Three Flowers. They, too, love Waseca and the Minnesota life.

“My daughters, they enjoy the weather,” Pablo said. “They enjoy the snow.”

As Pablo kept waiting tables, two young out-of-town customers arrived one recent Monday afternoon. Skye Jensen, 20, and Skylar Larsen, 19, made the 35-mile trip from Albert Lea on the recommendations of friends. And their love of Mexican food wasn’t disappointed.

“It was good. It was really good,” Larsen said. Jensen nodded.

“It’s a good drive, but we like to go out of town (for Mexican food),” she said.

The Riveras aren’t sitting still though. Pablo was planning to add a homemade ice cream counter in March, “La Michoacana Waseca,” a growing franchise devoted to successful Mexican restaurants.

“For them, we have to use fresh fruit,” Pablo said.

Pablo’s also considering a food truck venture with partners into the Rochester area by April.

Pablo, 44, was originally joined by younger brother, Alejandro, 29, who eventually gave up his ownership for a stop in the metropolitan area. He’s back now, helping as a server out front.

Fitch, as chamber director, continues to promote the “many fantastic businesses in Waseca,” but she acknowledged the special way in which the Riveras received the award.

“It was tough to get either Pablo or Lucy to come to the event; they had no idea they were going to win, and they have their restaurant to run. Luckily, lots of close friends were able to coax Lucy into attending,” Fitch said.

“After the awards were all given out,” she said, “a contingent of Chamber members went to present the award to Pablo at Mis Tres Flores, in front of a room full of customers. The floor erupted in applause for Pablo and Lucy. They are simply wonderful people, and we are beyond thankful to have them as a part of our community.”

For Pablo, it was a proud moment.

“I’m very happy,” Pablo said in his quiet way. “Very happy being here.”