Women in Business - Habanero's

Dulce Lugo

Habanero’s

Dulce Lugo came to the United States from Mexico City with her mother when she was 13. “I didn’t speak a single word of English,” Lugo said. “I had to focus on learning English and adapting to a new culture. My mother was a single mom and watching how hard she worked to take care of me and my siblings made me strive to be a hard worker.”

That hard work and focus have served her well over the years. Lugo moved to Louisiana with her husband, Omar, and young daughter when she was 19. “My husband’s uncle offered us jobs at one of his restaurants. I immediately realized that this was my passion,” she said.

Lugo worked as a server, bartender and manager before opening the first Habanero’s location in 2013 with her husband. They saw a need in the region for the more urban Mexican cuisine they knew and loved. That meant bringing a very different experience of Mexican-inspired fare to the area, beyond Tex-Mex.

“Mexican food is not just one type of cuisine,” she said. “Every state in Mexico has its own dishes. That’s how we came up with some of the unique selections that we have now. Creating these combinations of different foods and flavors helps keep us unique. We learned as we went and always strived to make our food and drinks the very best. We’ve also been very fortunate with our excellent team and their contributions; they all play crucial roles in our success.”

August will mark the 10th anniversary of Habanero’s. By the end of the year, they will have six locations, including one on the south shore and one in Baton Rouge. While the menu is the same at each location, Lugo said they prioritize providing the best experience for customers and cater to local and individual preferences. For example, customers with dietary needs should inform the staff who will be more than happy to accommodate special requests if they can.

“I enjoy seeing the familiar faces and catering to our guests, making sure they’re having a fantastic and memorable time,” she said. “We always encourage the atmosphere to be fun. We are here to take care of you. That’s what service is – it’s caring for our clientele and making them feel like family. I love

that we can do that for our community. Ever since we opened, we have strived for excellence in our food, drinks, and service!”

Habanero’s is grateful to its loyal customers over the last 10 years and eager to welcome those visiting for the first time. New locations are set to open in Metairie in June and in Baton Rouge by the end of the year. All Habanero’s locations host happy hours every day from 2-5 p.m. and Taco Tuesdays at Habanero’s on Highway 190 in Covington.

Locations in Covington, Madisonville, and Slidell

Metairie and Baton Rouge Coming soon!

www.habaneroscuisine.com