Local Business: Authentic Mexican Cuisine Comes to the South Side | Business News

Thanya Ledezma brings authentic Mexican cuisine to Oneonta’s South Side.

The Mexico City native, who launched Azul Oneonta at 6730 State Route 23 in mid-September, brings his lifelong culinary skills to the café.

“As a Mexican, it’s a cultural thing,” she said. “Women are always in the kitchen and have to know how to cook, no matter what they do for a living. For us, traditionally, cooking is the main thing. We are a club, and we get together every weekend to cook.

“My husband and I owned Greeneane Farm in Meridale,” continued Ledesma. “Go ahead and open this up. I moved[to America]with him 10 years ago. (I have) many years of cooking experience and a career (worked in the kitchen for about 15 years) so that’s what I did.Also, my family does a big part of this My two sisters and my brother who cook are part of it, we put this together so not only am I the owner, but I own this with them and everyone cooks Without them and their support, I wouldn’t be able to do it.”

Ledesma said she incorporates her love of family and culture into her cooking.

“We opened on September 17th, and we never thought we’d do this. It was just the opportunity we had,” she said. I talked to my sister, this is what we do and this is what we want to do, so we said, ‘Let’s do it.’ It’s a great place, a great place, this is really traditional Mexican food, not street food. we are not a restaurant. The place is so small it’s more of a cafe, so the focus is on takeaway orders and lunches.

“I love this business and we love cooking,” continued Ledezma. “I think the key[to keep us moving forward]is that it’s real. Everything we make from scratch. Every taco, everything is handmade, it didn’t come out of a can.” Everything is fresh and made with love and respect.Having a (Greenane) Farm, I really enjoy working with fresh produce…and taking care of the land and everything else. doing.”

Customer favorites include azure enchiladas, tacos and taco salad, Ledesma said.

Ledesma said the patrons are mostly representatives of Oneonta, but the enthusiasm is widespread.

“Oh my god, it was great,” she said. “We wanted to but we are so full and full and I can’t say enough great things about the community. We were so busy and crazy.”

Ledezma said he hopes to expand the cafe’s reach once it’s established.

“It’s still too early for us and we really don’t know what to expect, but the really important thing is to keep the business going,” she said. Maybe another part of town would be better.”

Azul Oneonta is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. From 8 o’clock on Friday he until 6 o’clock. Saturday 10:30-6.

For more information, search “Azul Oneonta NY” on Facebook or follow @azuloneontany on Instagram.