From Mexico City to the heart of Austin: Mario Hernández brings Michelin-starred tradition to F1 weekend

As the engines roared at Circuit of the Americas during Austin’s electrifying Formula 1 weekend, a more savory kind of performance was unfolding just outside the track, one built on family legacy, culinary excellence, and the rich flavors of Mexico.

At the center of it all was Mario Hernández, the humble yet proud owner of El Califa de León, Mexico City’s only Michelin-starred taco stand. This year, Hernández was invited by PATRÓN to co-create Cantina PATRÓN, an exclusive pop-up celebrating Mexican culture through food, spirits, and craftsmanship.

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“I feel very honored and grateful that this brand chose us. It’s a responsibility, and an opportunity, that we simply couldn’t pass up," he revealed to ¡HOLA!

The collaboration came about through personal connections, including Hernández’s daughter, who manages partnerships for the family business. The team approached El Califa with a vision, to bring an authentic taste of Mexico to Austin during one of its most global weekends.

Maintaining the authenticity of their legendary tacos in another country was no small feat. From scouting local suppliers to testing masa and salsa recipes, Hernández was involved at every step.

© Peter Fox - Formula 1

“In a very high percentage, it has the same quality as what we make at home," he added. They worked closely with local partners to source ingredients and test products ahead of time. One local masa maker, for instance, stood out for providing a product that paired beautifully with El Califa’s signature tacos.

For Mario, the collaboration represents more than just a pop-up. It’s a continuation of a legacy passed down from his parents, infused with the values of hard work, honesty, and pride in Mexican culinary traditions.

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“Well, to be very honest, we have been running this small business in Mexico for many years. We opened it in 1968, which means we have 57 years of history,” Hernández shared.

“This business was started by my parents," he detailed. "My father Juan Hernández González and my mother Josefina Alonso Luis. Both have since passed away. I took over the reins 40 years ago. For 40 years, I have been in charge of this business."

He continued, "The Michelin award we received was a huge boost, a very important springboard. We had been comfortable for many years. Modesty aside, the business has always been successful since it opened. But this recognition definitely enhanced everything we do in all aspects.”

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When asked about the values his family taught him and how they apply to the business, Hernández said, “First, to be a transparent, honest, hardworking person, and to stay close to my parents when they started the business.”

He added, “I started observing and appreciating what they managed. You slowly fall in love with it. It’s a beautiful profession that deserves a lot of attention and responsibility. Over the years, I have come to love and fall deeper in love with this profession.”

Mario is also a professional, he graduated with a degree in Business Administration. "When I finished, I realized I wasn’t called to work in a different company. Who would have thought that those administration basics would help me run this small business?”

When asked what advice he would give to an entrepreneur trying to reach a larger platform and achieve success, he responded, “Well, I don’t think I’m the right person to give advice. But if it can serve as inspiration, it’s that our dreams, whether young or mature, are within reach. They’re hanging there, you just need to reach out and grab them.”

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“How? By preparing yourself, working day by day, and never giving up. If you stumble along the way, get up quickly and learn from the experience so you don’t trip over the same stone or obstacle again. You have to fall in love with your profession day by day."

He also shared his love for gastronomy. "If you choose a profession as beautiful as gastronomy, that’s the advice I humbly give, innovate, contribute. The kitchen is a magical place where you can, through your work, make people fall in love. Anyone who believes they have a gift, not more than seasoning, cooking well, and passion, is invited to one day achieve success.”

© Jared C. Tilton

At 68, Hernández remains deeply involved in his businesses, both El Califa de León and El Mesón Taurino, and sees this moment as both a personal milestone and a strategic opportunity to grow the brand internationally.

“Little by little, we want to grow and be part of high-level events like this. It’s a challenge we take seriously, and one we don’t take for granted," he declared.

In a weekend defined by speed and spectacle, Cantina PATRÓN offered fans a moment to slow down and savor. Guests sampled elevated tacos alongside premium tequila pairings, creating a cultural fusion that celebrated not just food and drink, but the soul of Mexico.