If you go ...
• WHAT: Tia's Mexican Grill
• WHERE: 1014 17th Ave.
• HOURS: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday
• PHONE: 426-6008
• CREDIT CARDS: Accepted
MONROE - She was born and raised in Texas and is of Mexican descent, but Cecelia Cameron has never stepped foot south of the border.
Maybe that's why she's emphasizing the idea of "American-Mexican" for her new start-up restaurant, Tia's Mexican Grill, which opened last week on the east side of the Square.
"I've never been to Mexico, but I've always loved Mexican food," said Cameron, who operates the business with co-owner Bryan Lang. "I know not everyone likes it - my own daughter doesn't - so we also have traditional "American' food."
Cameron is using her love of Mexican food as her resume, along with her 30 years of experience in the business that included short-term efforts as an owner in Oregon (the 4B Cafe, three years) and Stoughton (Taters Grill, one year).
Hoping a third time is the charm, Cameron said the owners will be hands on at Tia's.
"You'll see us cooking, serving, everything, for breakfast, lunch and dinner," she said. "We're more than just owners."
It's the breakfast niche - largely unique to Mexican fare - that will help set Tia's apart, Cameron said.
"Few Mexican places do that," she said. "We brought 20 breakfast tacos the other day to Swiss Colony, to the EMS team, and then to City Hall, to get the word out. They just loved them."
Other signature items include Steak a la Mexicana, ranchero burritos and apple pie nachos.
"I don't know of anyone who has those," Cameron said of the nachos.
Wine and beer is also available.
As for the prime downtown location, Cameron couldn't help but notice all the action on the Square when she moved here four years ago with her husband, Scot, who works at Swiss Colony. "We just love the Square and that's where we'd spend so much of our time," she said. "I always hoped a spot would open up, and when it did we jumped at it."
The inside of the location (previously Cafe Claudeen) is also ideal, Cameron said, noting it holds 68 diners and features a table for 12 and one for eight.
As for the decor, there is little to suggest a Mexican theme. Again, Cameron has it that way by design.
"I feel some people in Monroe may be intimidated walking into a Mexican restaurant because they may not know much about the culture and don't understand the language," she said. "I know that's how I'd feel when we visited Mexican restaurants here. I want everyone to feel at home and just worry about liking the food."
Maybe that's why she's emphasizing the idea of "American-Mexican" for her new start-up restaurant, Tia's Mexican Grill, which opened last week on the east side of the Square.
"I've never been to Mexico, but I've always loved Mexican food," said Cameron, who operates the business with co-owner Bryan Lang. "I know not everyone likes it - my own daughter doesn't - so we also have traditional "American' food."
Cameron is using her love of Mexican food as her resume, along with her 30 years of experience in the business that included short-term efforts as an owner in Oregon (the 4B Cafe, three years) and Stoughton (Taters Grill, one year).
Hoping a third time is the charm, Cameron said the owners will be hands on at Tia's.
"You'll see us cooking, serving, everything, for breakfast, lunch and dinner," she said. "We're more than just owners."
It's the breakfast niche - largely unique to Mexican fare - that will help set Tia's apart, Cameron said.
"Few Mexican places do that," she said. "We brought 20 breakfast tacos the other day to Swiss Colony, to the EMS team, and then to City Hall, to get the word out. They just loved them."
Other signature items include Steak a la Mexicana, ranchero burritos and apple pie nachos.
"I don't know of anyone who has those," Cameron said of the nachos.
Wine and beer is also available.
As for the prime downtown location, Cameron couldn't help but notice all the action on the Square when she moved here four years ago with her husband, Scot, who works at Swiss Colony. "We just love the Square and that's where we'd spend so much of our time," she said. "I always hoped a spot would open up, and when it did we jumped at it."
The inside of the location (previously Cafe Claudeen) is also ideal, Cameron said, noting it holds 68 diners and features a table for 12 and one for eight.
As for the decor, there is little to suggest a Mexican theme. Again, Cameron has it that way by design.
"I feel some people in Monroe may be intimidated walking into a Mexican restaurant because they may not know much about the culture and don't understand the language," she said. "I know that's how I'd feel when we visited Mexican restaurants here. I want everyone to feel at home and just worry about liking the food."