Meet the Grainger Market Traders: LJ’s Mexican Street Food

You’ve had quite a colourful career working as a chef for big names like Gary Rhodes and Richard Branson, as well as cooking up a storm at many North East restaurants. Tell us a bit about your journey so far?

I became a chef when I was young. I've always loved cooking and seeing the joy that good food can bring to people, so I was determined to learn as much as I could.

Over the years I've worked in all sorts of kitchens, from high-end restaurants to community cafes, and every one of them taught me something different. No two days were ever the same, which is one of the things I love about being a chef.

I've been lucky enough to work alongside some incredible people, including Gary Rhodes and Richard Branson, as well as many talented chefs and local businesses throughout my career.

What made you decide to transition from restaurant chef to market trader?

I have really fond memories of visiting markets with my mum when I was growing up. It was always a good day if I got a strawberry milkshake and markets have always had a special place in my heart.

When I moved to the North East more than 20 years ago, I quickly fell in love with Grainger Market. There's nowhere quite like it and when the opportunity came to open my own business here, it just felt like the perfect fit.

What inspired your stall’s focus on Mexican food?

About 25 years ago I travelled to France for the World Cup, and one of the first matches I watched was Korea vs Mexico. Outside the stadium there were Mexican families and chefs cooking from pop-up stalls in the car parks, serving fresh tacos and quesadillas. It was the first time I'd experienced authentic Mexican street food, and I absolutely loved it.

Later, when I was living in Harrogate, there was an amazing little restaurant called Salsa Posada that really fuelled my passion for Mexican flavours and cooking.

Ever since then I've enjoyed creating Mexican-inspired dishes using high-quality, traditional ingredients like dried chillis and fresh coriander, letting simple flavours and fresh produce do the talking.

What kind of food can people expect at LJ’s Mexican Street Food?

We serve a range of traditional Mexican street food, with tacos and quesadillas proving to be our most popular dishes.

Our fillings change almost every day to keep things exciting, and we use as much produce from fellow Grainger Market traders as possible. There will always be a meat option, a fish option and a vegetarian choice.

I also know it's nice to try a bit of everything, so if you order three tacos or quesadillas, you can mix and match your fillings.

LJ’s Mexican Street Food is named after your kids who you’re also running the stall with – what’s it like running a family business in Grainger Market?

It's brilliant. Being able to work alongside my kids is really special, and they make a huge difference to the business.

I'm supposed to be the boss, but I'm not entirely convinced that's actually the case!

You’re originally from Yorkshire – can we expect to see any Yorkshire-Mexican fusion food from LJ’s?

Not just yet, but it's definitely something I'd love to experiment with in the future. Who wouldn't want to try a Yorkshire pudding wrap taco?

And finally, what do you love most about having a stall in the Grainger Market?

It's the people. The atmosphere, the other traders and the customers make it a fantastic place to work.

There really is nowhere quite like Grainger Market. It has such a strong sense of community and since the day we got the keys, I've had so many interesting conversations with customers and fellow traders.

It genuinely feels like the right place for LJ's and it's a real pleasure coming to work here every day.

LJ’s Mexican Street Food is located in Unit 103 on Alley 3 in Grainger Market. For more information visit instagram.com/ljsmexican.

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