When Tony Vega started his own restaurant in 1992, it was merely achieving the goal of owning his own business. After being in business for 15 years, his restaurant became a mission not just a business.
“I worked as a waiter for several restaurants,” Tony said. “I discovered I enjoyed the food and restaurant business. I started thinking I would like to own one of my own one day.”
On January 12, 1992 he opened Tony’s Mexican Restaurant at 2222 Ella Blvd in Houston, Texas. The way he ran his business changed drastically though when he gave his life to the Lord and became a Christian in 2007.
“The Lord touched my heart,” Tony said. “I started going to church and reading the Bible. God spoke to me in a different way from what I used to know and what I used to practice. It really impacted my life and I started seeing him in a different way.”
His faith is something Tony said he couldn’t hide. He wants everyone to know God and come to love God. Through Tony’s Mexican Restaurant he subtly tries to do that all while giving God glory.
Starting with the flagship location on Ella Blvd., Tony added a sign inscribed with the bible verse address John 6:35, which states, “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”
“We serve food, which is in a away a piece of bread,” Tony said, “but it is spiritual food that the soul really needs. We need Jesus just like we need to eat to live. If we do not eat actual food then we will die. Spiritually speaking, if we don’t have Jesus – the bread of life – then we will vanish spiritually.”
Having the bible verse inscribed on the front of the restaurant is a reminder to Tony that he needs Jesus daily. He hopes it also sparks a light in the people who come to Tony’s Mexican Restaurant. Another way Tony tries to share the Word of God with his patrons, is through the restaurant’s menu.
“We have scripture throughout our menu,” Tony said. “I am a strong believer that all of us need the Word of God to be better people. It gives us the opportunity to share the message of Jesus. Whether that be with people who have never heard it or with people who knew it but have drifted away from Jesus.”
Tony said even though there is no preacher at Tony’s Mexican Restaurant the message of salvation in Jesus, according to the Bible, is there in the menus. He believes that if you want God to bless you then you should have Him inside your life and your business. Scripture throughout the menu is a way he brings God into his business giving Him the glory.
Tony also brings God’s message of love into his business by the way he runs his business. It is important to Tony to treat his employees and staff with the same selfless love that Jesus loved others with. He admits this is something he hadn’t always done prior to following the Lord, but he now strives to do so everyday.
“Through the years, the Word of God along with God is working on making me a better person,” Tony said. “It helps me treat my employees and staff in a different way that shows God’s love.”
Giving back to the community is a big part of Tony’s business and is another way he works to show God’s love through his business. Tony’s Mexican Restaurant hosts fundraising nights and spirit nights to help local organizations, youth groups and schools raise money for their causes.
“The bible says it is more of a blessing to give than it is to receive,” Tony said. “If I am able to share something God has given me then it is a blessing for me to give it as a blessing for the community. Giving to the community is not about making money. It is about sharing the blessings of God.”
Now with a second location at 17790 Katy Fwy. Houston, TX 77094, Tony is able to give even more to the greater Houston area and specifically Katy. Tony’s Mexican Restaurant offers all of your favorite Tex-Mex dishes some even with a unique flavor specific to Tony’s.
To learn more about Tony’s Mexican Restaurant, visit their website at www.tonysmexrestaurant.com. Stay up to date with all of their latest news by liking their Facebook Pages Tony’s Mexican Restaurant – EnergyCorridor and Tony’s Mexican Restaurant – Ella.