Encuentro Latino
Restaurant
Where:
228 W Michigan Ave
Launched:
2015
Owner:
Manuel De Paz
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The Inspiration
Manuel De Paz was born in Zacapa, Guatemala, and when he came to the U.S., it was, he says, “with a purpose.” For him, that purpose was to share his homeland’s cuisine with his new community in Ypsilanti.
In 2015, De Paz opened the doors of Encuentro Latino at 228 W Michigan, and since then they’ve become Ypsi’s go-to spot for garnachas, carne adobada, and traditional Guatemalan breakfast, among many other authentic and delicious dishes.
De Paz says he gets the same feeling of happiness walking into the restaurant everyday because, in his words, “I get to connect with different people.”
Looking Forward
De Paz says that the experience of bringing customers joy through food is, for him, a source of consistent fulfillment. But he said the journey launching and maintaining the restaurant has come with challenges.
“It’s a little difficult learning the way, because when you have a business for the first time, especially a restaurant, it’s tricky,” he said. But he added that at the end of the day, he always comes back to the belief that, “Let’s keep moving forward, God willing.”
