If you’ve ever gone to the Waco Downtown Farmer’s Market, there is no question that you’ve gotten a whiff of tasty aromas of cheese, freshly made tortillas, brisket, carnitas, and more, as you wandered throughout the crowds, making you feel a hunger for delicious quesadillas. In the case that you’re not familiar with what I’m referring to, here is your personal introduction to The Quesadilla Factory.
Owners, Rey and Silvia Morales first met at church and quickly bonded over shared values of their faith, culture and family. Meeting initially in 1992, Silvia’s background of growing up and watching her mom run a business in Mexico and Rey’s passion for “smoking meats” since 2009 allowed them to create something truly special. They now are married, have three kids, have planted 8 churches, and run The Quesadilla Factory through their bi-vocational work of food and ministry.
Initially, the business was meant to be a BBQ business. However, with equipment that was not ready for BBQ and an idea from Silvia to sell something that reminded her of Mexico, they decided to sell what they are famous for now: quesadillas.
At the Quesadilla Factory every bite is an experience. Priding themselves in the authenticity of the food to serve a piece of authentic Mexican culture that has tortillas made from scratch, fresh ingredients, and a business that has now allowed them to go full-time into the work, owners, Rey and Silvia remember their start.
“We started with a 36-inch griddle, which we now call ‘the grandma’ and a 10×10 canopy. I needed a job and God provided.” Rey continues, “We started with just one meat – barbacoa, and not even a sign. People asked, ‘What are you selling?’ and word started to go around. In 2021, we went from packing our stuff in our vehicle, to then a trailer, then a 16-foot modified trailer, and then a full-time food truck. My wife was working throughout all of this. We navigated 40+ hours of work a week, kids that were in band and sports, our church ministry of planting churches, and by ’22 we were hitting record sales that led this to be a full-time job.
When asked about South Waco and their presence in the community, Rey shared “The farmer’s market is our grassroots. They were faithful to me and I’m faithful to them. And I just want people to know that we’re available to serve. We’re not breaking the bank and it’s delicious food. We are faith-based, trustworthy people and attribute our success to God.”
On Saturdays, you can find the Quesadilla Factory at the farmer’s market or you can explore their social media to find out where they are throughout the week. You may find them at Sam’s or Walmart, there they partner to share a percentage of their sales to schools and book programs that benefit the community or the Miracle Children’s Network. You may also find them on Baylor’s campus for various events that go on throughout the year to connect students to the broader community through food. Or you can reach out to either Silvia or Rey to ask about utilizing The Quesadilla Factory to raise funding that benefits the community and/or catering.
“Our goal is to have people come together and start working together. God has sustained us, and we are happy to serve”