Rosalie's Daily Special

In Memory of Rosalie Rodriguez Garza

November 30, 1926 - June 21, 2011

My grandma is the inspiration behind Vegeria. She died not even two months before the opening of the restaurant, but she was excited and happy to hear and see the plans.  Her legacy lives on here. My grandma was an amazingly beautiful, strong and loving woman. She was one of many mothers to me, as well as my hero. She is greatly missed and loved. She taught me about my faith, family, relationships, and food.

For years my grandma got up in the early morning hours to make homemade tacos and tamales. My grandfather would sell them at work at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. She dreamed of taking an almost month long Schoenstatt pilgrimage across Europe. She saved all her taco money. In 1986 she was able to pay for the pilgrimage for both of them.  Her dream and accomplishment has deeply inspired me.

At an early age I wanted to be in the kitchen cooking with her. When I was little I would often ask her If I could help her in the kitchen. The answer was always the same. “If you want to learn to cook you will sit and watch me.”  To her surprise, I did everyday. She would pick me up from school bring me home, give me a snack, and I would sit and watch her cook dinner. She taught me well!  It was not until I was about 17 years old that she actually let me help her. When she did let me help her I treasured every moment.  She taught me how to make tortillas, gorditas, tamales, empanadas, arroz, frijoles and much more.  On her last Thanksgiving she sat and watched me for the first time as I cooked.  She passed her legacy to me that Thanksgiving Day. Today I plan to keep that legacy going. A legacy of love and service to family and community.

With all my love, Fred Anthony Garza