For more than two decades, Marisol has balanced two jobs while bringing a taste of Guatemala to Los Angeles every weekend.

Every weekend, before the grills heat up and customers begin arriving, Marisol is already preparing for another long day.

Originally from Guatemala, she has spent the past 23 years building a life in Los Angeles. On Saturdays and Sundays, she runs Churrascos Guatemalas, serving traditional Guatemalan churrascos and tortas from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the week, she works in sewing, balancing two jobs to support herself and keep the business going.

Marisol enjoys moving between locations and meeting new customers, relying almost entirely on people passing by to discover her stand. On a good day, she serves around 30 customers without the help of social media or online advertising.

When I asked about the hardest part of the job, she smiled and answered simply: everything. Operating a street vending business is expensive, and every weekend requires careful planning, long hours, and constant effort. Yet after more than two decades in Los Angeles, she continues showing up, sharing the food and flavors of her home country with everyone who stops by.

Quick Facts

Name: Marisol

Business: Churrascos Guatemalas

Origin: Guatemala

Time in Los Angeles: 23 Years

Products: Guatemalan Churrascos & Tortas

Hours: Weekends, 6 AM–6 PM

Weekday Job: Sewing

Customers: ~30 on a good day

Biggest Challenge: The high cost of operating a business

By Austin Iluore

Weekends, Hard Work, and Home