It all began six years ago at our then favorite local Highland’s bar – the classic front of house / back of house pairing and the rest is history. Just kidding. We really did meet this way though and quickly discovered a shared passion for cooking, dining, travel, and flavor. With over 30 years of combined restaurant experience, we had a lot of stories to share and knowledge to exchange.

 

Martin was in the kitchen from a young age cooking meals with his grandmas and family. Some of his best memories were making fresh tortillas, tamales, and menudo on Sundays. This love for his Mexican culture led him to professional kitchens at 19. He worked his way up from dishwasher to Executive Chef by grinding it out. After years of traveling as a Chef around America, he learned regional cooking and explored other cuisines – from California fresh to Alpine elegant. His mentor Bill kept him cooking, growing and mostly in line. A final restaurant opening together would leave Martin wanting more autonomy and the chance to develop a concept of his own.

 

Emily’s childhood looked a little different. Family meals traded in homemade tortillas and tamales for buffet lines and boneless wing baskets where she inherently adopted a lifestyle of eating out. As a military brat, moving brought new places and constant change, finally landing her in Denver. The comfort of restaurants and the need for a solid paycheck brought her to a Cap Hill Bar & Grill. Unknowingly it also paved the way for a marketing degree, a passion for wining and dining and a love for international travel. From the plastic alley tables in Hong Kong to the jungle restaurants in Tulum, the appetite to realize her high school dream of starting a business seemed to find a place at this table.

 

So we met, dated and moved to Texas to help launch this last project. The move spurred some big ideas of our own. To pass the time, we toyed with businesses like a sauce company – even jotting down recipes, logos, and business plans on bar naps back in 2018. It was this entrepreneurial spirit, and a long car ride back to Colorado, that would eventually give way to opening our cozy food trailer in 2021 – Family Meal, Co. Here we learned a lot about business, found our work-rhythm together and most importantly, honed our flavors. We became known for blending flavors of Mexican spices and Asian umami. Martin finally had creative freedom in the kitchen and Emily a chance to use her advertising expertise and love of hospitality. It ushered in a revived passion and drive for good food for both of us. Almost exactly two years later, our little trailer started feeling cramped, and we were ready to grow.

 

This new venture prompted us to reflect on our journey. We’ve grown as a business, as a family and as a couple. It seemed fitting to find a name and menu that mirrored where we’re at now. But also paid tribute to our past. Hence, Amá Modern Mexican – Amá is love. Our menu leans more towards Chef Martin’s background while remaining influenced by the flavors we’ve come to love along the way. Amá is our modern take on a traditional taqueria. We handcraft each dish with a relatable approach to Mexican comfort foods. You’ll find tacos like our succulent pork belly in a sweet and tangy guajillo glaze topped with smoky pineapple salsa, complemented with hints of umami, and garnished with fresh mint. Our charred tomato salsa is the perfect dunk for your chip. It’s made with only a few ingredients, but pops of lime, char, and smoke transform it into a bite worth the double-dip.

 

Our mission is simple: handcraft ingredients, create good food, work hard, and have fun! After all, it’s for the love of food, family & tacos.

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-Emily and Martin