Back to Plano

Plano Mexican Restaurant Sees Surge After Teen's Social Media Post

A Plano eatery experienced a dramatic increase in patrons following a viral video posted by the owner's daughter seeking support for the struggling business.

Quincy Quill

July 3, 20262 min read

Restaurant popularity - illustration, Jake Team LLC
Restaurant popularity - illustration, Jake Team LLC

Sazon De Loa, a Mexican restaurant situated on Renner Road in Plano, has seen a significant influx of customers after a social media post by the owner’s 15-year-old daughter went viral. The establishment, which specializes in authentic cuisine prepared by chef and owner Rafael De Loa, was nearly forced to close just last month due to insufficient foot traffic.

The turnaround began when Leslie De Loa uploaded a video to TikTok pleading for community support. In the clip, she explained that her family’s business was struggling to attract patrons despite her father’s hard work. She invited viewers to visit for food and drinks, emphasizing the honest need for help rather than using clever marketing tactics.

The video gained traction after being shared by TikToker Bucky Wild Child, who has more than 110,000 followers and had previously dined at the Renner Road location. The share prompted customers to travel from near and far to support the restaurant.

Patrons have responded positively to the sudden popularity. Customer Jhazmin Martinez stated she saw the video and decided to visit for a date night. Fellow customer Jesus Martinez praised the food as delicious. Other visitors, including Diego Osorio and C.J. Nelson, noted they were surprised by the large crowds but expressed patience with the longer wait times, viewing the busy atmosphere as a positive sign for the business.

Leslie De Loa expressed amazement at the community’s willingness to take time off to visit the restaurant. The shift in fortune has been emotional for Rafael De Loa, who noted that the restaurant had struggled to retain staff due to a lack of tips. He described the viral attention as a miracle for the business, which has been open for nearly two years.

Rafael De Loa admitted he is now facing a new challenge: staffing. He reported working extended hours to manage the increased volume and stated that the restaurant is currently hiring to join the team. The source of this information includes interviews with the restaurant owners and customers.

Source: fox4news.com.

Sources

https://www.fox4news.com/news/plano-mexican-restaurant-packed-after-owners-15-year-old-daughter-makes-viral-plea

Share

Quincy Quill

Quincy Quill reports on local business, new openings, and economic development in Plano.

Related Stories