La Sierra
2625 Riva Road, Suites A and B Annapolis
410-573-2961 | lasierrarestaurantinc.com
Catalina Landaverde’s work schedule seems endless. Landaverde bounces back and forth between the four authentic Mexican food restaurants she owns with five of her siblings.
They include Queretaro and Mi Casita in Gambrills, Rinconcito in Odenton, and La Sierra in Annapolis. “I don’t have much free time,” Landaverde says.
The demands on her time increased in September when the family opened La Sierra in a strip mall off of Riva Road. The only way Landaverde knows how to run a ship is spending a lot of time at the helm and that she does at La Sierra.
But what makes her job manageable is that her sister Gloria is there to lend a hand. The two have the most restaurant experience of all their siblings —27 years each. Catalina and Gloria forged a strong bond, working side by side for all those years.
They moved from Queretaro, Mexico, to Oklahoma in 1991 and started working at a restaurant there called Casa Soto, Catalina as a busboy, Gloria as a cook. Twenty-eight years later, they’re working hard to find their own place in Annapolis’ competitive restaurant scene.
What’s Up Media recently sat down with the 47-year-oldCatalina to discuss what makes La Sierra different.
Why did you decide to open a restaurant in Annapolis?
I used to live in Annapolis for 10 years before moving to Crofton. I was working as a server at El Toro Bravo for nine years. My sister Gloria worked there, too. I know a lot of customers and people who live here in Annapolis. They remember me from years ago. I learned how to manage a restaurant (at El Toro Bravo), and I saved money, so I could open my own business.
When you opened a restaurant in Annapolis, how did you differentiate yourself from the competition?
When I worked at El Toro Bravo, I met a lot of customers, and I know what they like. There is one dish, Pollo al Chorizo, Mexican sausage and cheese, that most people like. They like the way we prepare it.
What is your role with all the restaurants?
I am the lead (owner), and I run them. I am like the general manager. I work six days a week and go one day to each place. I stay here most of the time right now because its new.
What is the secret to running a successful restaurant?
Being here all the time and making sure the customers are happy of course. You also have to make sure the food is good, and the restaurant is clean.
Each of your restaurants has a different name. Why not brand all of them with the same name?
Customers don’t like a chain. When they hear it’s a family restaurant, they like it better.
What lessons have you learned from your other restaurants that you can apply to La Sierra?
Maybe that before, I wasn’t there all the time. Now, I’ll be here hours before the restaurant opens. I’ll make sure the food is good before we start serving. Sometimes, the customer will complain and say, ‘The food doesn’t have enough salt.’ You just have to make sure everything is ready to serve.
Your restaurant offers 100 different kinds of tequila. Why is this such a big focus?
I know people like margaritas a lot. People will ask if I can make a margarita with this kind of tequila or that kind that they like. We have our own recipes for margaritas. We have 12 of them.
Is it tough to work with your siblings?
It’s nice because you can trust them. I can leave and one of them can stay and make sure everything is fine. We have so many of us. One can be here and at another restaurant. It’s tough, too, because sometimes we fight.
Why did you come to the United States from Mexico?
I have nine siblings in my family. Gloria and I wanted to work to help my parents raise my brothers and sisters. I also just wanted to meet different people. I liked it, and I decided to stay. I went to Oklahoma first to visit a cousin and he introduced me to a friend. Gloria and I started working for him.
What do you do in your free time when you are not working?
I work six days a week. I go one day to each of the other restaurants and spend three days here. When I do have free time, I spend it with family.
Guacamole
[Serves 4]
3 avocados
1 teaspoon of chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon of chopped jalapeños
1 teaspoon of chopped onions
1 teaspoon of cilantro
A pinch of garlic
A pinch of salt
Preparation: Combine all the ingredients, mix and serve in decorative bowl.
