I Accidentally Opened A Restaurant
By Farz Farrokhnia
I never meant to open a restaurant, but now I wouldn’t have it any other way.
After my mom battled cancer and came out shining and healthy on the other end, I realized the powerful effect that real, raw, clean food can have on our bodies. I saw a chance to create something that would make people feel good and jumped right in. Since early-2014, Mom’s Fresh Juice has evolved from just me simply selling juice cleanses out of my tiny downtown apartment kitchen to now maintaining a daily menu of 15-plus juice flavors, all-food smoothies and plant-based meal options to satisfy even the pickiest of carnivores. We’re now known as Mom’s Fresh Juice + Kitchen, entering our fifth year of business and planning to expand around El Paso and throughout Texas, starting with a new eatery in Austin by mid-2019.
I’ve got to admit that I was a bit skeptical when we first considered selling food. For starters, I occasionally eat meat/chicken. Additionally, you’d never expect plant-based foods (aka vegan/vegetarian) to be very popular in a city full of tacos, tamales and tortas. After shifting my style of eating to focus more on a plant-based diet, I realized that Mom’s Fresh could grow by showing our customers that good-for-you food doesn’t have to be intimidating.
It has been a bit of an uphill battle but I’m very happy to say that El Pasoans are starting to embrace a new way of eating. They are stepping out of their comfort zones and trying things that have never sat on their plates before. It’s such a pleasure to get to introduce people to new things each day. It’s an even greater feeling to see their positive reactions when they try something new.
Our general overview on eating is that you should feel good after having a meal. Highly processed foods and all the artificial stuff on supermarket shelves these days are making us sick. Eating real foods that our bodies were built to consume keeps us healthier and happier. Of course, there is no specific eating regimen that truly fits all bodies or lifestyles. All we can do each day is learn a little bit more about what we are consuming and how it affects us. Learning about your body and its reactions can help you live a healthier
We’ve created a kitchen unlike any other in El Paso. High-quality, clean, real foods are coming out of our kitchen every day of the week. No animal products, no artificial preservatives, flavorings or sweeteners. We are serious about putting good things in our bodies.
I never expected Mom’s Fresh to evolve into what it is today and I’m so excited to see where it goes next. Won’t you be our neighbor?
Mom’s Fresh Juice + Kitchen is located at 3800 N. Mesa, Suite C4 or visit us online at haveajuicyday.com
Farz’ Last Meal: It would definitely be a buffet of at least a few of my favorites. It would include but not be limited to: my mom’s spaghetti, Persian kabob from my dad, a perfectly made Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell (not-so-guilty pleasure), chicken & calabacitas from Ruli’s International Kitchen, a simple salad with pork pinchos from Tabla, spicy curry noodles from Singapore Cafe and finally, a falafel bowl and a Rise’n’Sunshine smoothie from Mom’s Fresh Juice + Kitchen.