Fritangas Mexican Restaurant’s first day on Frisco’s Main Street was marked by fanfare: live music, guests chattering over drinks on the patio and an inflatable balloon archway in cheery shades of red and yellow. 

For owner Herson Daniel Olivares, it was the next step in a long and winding journey that began in Mexico City before crossing into the United States and setting roots down in Summit County. Olivares, now a local entrepreneur and first-generation graduate of Colorado Mountain College, fixes and flips homes, started an ATM business and — as of Tuesday’s grand opening — owns two Fritangas locations, with the second in Silverthorne.

“It was definitely very challenging, coming in as an illegal immigrant in 2000 and then eventually working my way up,” he said. “Not being able to have a social security number for most of my life but making things the right way, the legal way, and being able to get naturalized and becoming a citizen of the United States has opened me doors.” 

Now, Olivares’ newest business venture is helping him to preserve his background as an immigrant. 

“It’s part of my life, and it’s something that I’m not ashamed of,” he said. “It’s something that did shape me.” 

But more than his own past, Fritangas is helping Olivares keep the culture — and flavors — of Mexico City alive in Frisco. 

“What Main Street was really missing is not only some good deals to take care of its locals, but also some really authentic food: huaraches, sopas, gordillas, pambazos, marinated pork spinning outside in the streets,” he said. “That’s what I think Main Street of Frisco hasn’t seen in many years.” 

To Olivares, there’s a few standout dishes. For one: the torta cubana. 

“That’s more like a traditional Mexican sandwich style that we made with multiple meats and ham and cheeses,” he said, noting that it’s been a top-seller. 

The traditional Mexican style extends past the dishes and into the decor. Dried chili peppers hang from ropes on walls painted bright orange and decorated with vibrant papel picado. On one wall, two Catrinas — the iconic female skeleton associated with Day of the Dead — stare down at tables of diners. 

“That’s something a lot of Mexico City restaurants have,” Oliveras said. “It represents culture, it represents Mexico.” 

The opening of the restaurant itself also represents Oliveras’ own personal story, and the lived experiences that led him to where he is today as an American citizen and, now, two-time restaurant owner. 

“I want to keep working hard for my dreams,” he said. “For the passion, for my family, for my friends, for my wife and for everything that I think is truly valuable for me. That’s why I do this, to keep on moving forward.” 

The Silverthorne restaurant is located at 102 Annie Road, and the Frisco location is at 409 Main St., Unit 102 and 202. For information on the Silverthorne location, visit FritangasSilverthorne.com, and for information on the Frisco location, search for @Fritangas_Frisco on Instagram or search Fritangas Restaurants Frisco on Facebook.