Israel’s 'little piece of Mexico' where Jews, Arabs, and tourists gather over tacos

A Mexican chef who came to Israel through an unexpected love story says his popular kosher taco eatery has become more than a place to eat – it has become a gathering place for people of all backgrounds.

Luis Cruz, founder of the restaurant that has brought authentic Mexican flavors to Israelis and tourists alike, describes Tacos Luis as “a little piece of Mexico in Israel.”

What began as an aliyah business plan has become a reflection of modern Israel’s diversity, attracting customers from across the country’s cultural and religious spectrum.

“Tacos Luis is not just for the Jewish community, but for everyone,” he said. “Arab Christians, Arab Muslims, people from abroad who visit Israel come in. That’s the beautiful thing – the ‘tacos make me happy’ culture we’ve created.”

Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, Cruz developed a passion for cooking at an early age, learning alongside his mother, grandmother and aunts before formally studying culinary arts. That pursuit took him across Mexico and later Spain, France and Denmark.

His journey to Israel, however, began after he reached out to former guests who had stayed at his mother’s hostel, seeking an opportunity to put his culinary skills to work. One response changed his life.

His now-wife, Israeli-born Leah Stoffer, needed support running a bakery in New York. The two would work together there for seven years before moving to Israel and launching Tacos Luis.

“She always wanted to return to her country,” Cruz said. The couple decided that if they were moving to Israel, they would do so with a unique business. “That's how Tacos Luis was born,” he said. “While eating good tacos in New York, I told her, ‘That's it. This is what we have to do in Israel.’”

Three years later, they opened the restaurant in July 2018. Since then, the restaurant has grown to 15 employees, with long lines of customers now a regular sight.

But the journey hasn’t always been smooth, Cruz admits. “Israel is a very difficult country. The people are difficult, they’re tough, they’re rude, so you have to be on their terms. (...) I decided to learn how they live, rather than pushing back. That's how I've managed to stand out in this country,” he said. 

Rather than engage in politics, Cruz says he prefers to focus on bringing people together through food. “If someone approaches me asking about politics, I tell them: 'Do you want to be my friend? Then let's talk about food and the future of this country.'” 

Despite the challenges of running a business through the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as nearly three years of war and two rounds of conflict with Iran, Cruz remains optimistic about Israel’s future.

“We believe it has the potential to be among the great nations,” he said. “This country is incredibly limitless, from south to north. It may be small, but it has everything.”

Cruz encourages people to experience Israel firsthand rather than relying on what they hear. “Come and see it with your own eyes,” he said. “Touch the country. Feel it. See it from the inside and out. See what’s right and what isn’t, the good and the bad. It’s a country like any other country in the world.”