In October 2017, Little Italy welcomed a unique new business: Taco Trunp, an authentic traditional taqueria, created by Jesus Martinez and his two brothers, Jorge the chef, and Jose. The eatery's history is a happy mix of resilience, daring, tenacity, madness and humour.
Jesus Martinez arrived in Quebec as an asylum seeker in 2009. He was 21 years old, had $35 in his pocket, and was accompanied by his 17-year-old brother, Jose. After earning two Master's degrees in political science and experiencing some upheavals in his life, Jesus was joined by his other brother, Jorge, who initially arrived to help him after he underwent knee surgery. “I said to my brother Jose, ‘Listen, we came here because of problems in Mexico, and we have to do something with our lives here, otherwise we'll just stay in the same place forever,’” Jesus recalls.
After some thought, Jesus told his brothers about his plan to open a taqueria in Montreal, since he couldn't find any worthy of the name. When his brother asked how much money he had to start his business, Jesus answered $2,000, and his brother lost it: “‘El loco (you're crazy)! How are we going to do that?’” Jesus remembers. “I said to him, ‘Listen to me. I believe in God and I know he will help me.’”
