El Toro Taco Properties was founded on “true grit” and countless hours of hard labor of the  Pablo & Estefana Hernandez family.    The long laborious hours were met by all the family, but at its core were Estefana's experienced hands filled with passion of Mexican culinary recipes from her grandmother and words of encouragement of Pablo, ever present by her side.  

Estefana Silva Hernandez was born on December 26, 1936, in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The daughter of Nicolas Rodriguez Silva and Maria de Jesus D. Silva.  She had a primary formal education, but her “lifelong experience” is equal to an MBA Business & Finance 

The community was enriched by her Mexican Heritage and with her home style Mexican Cuisine that was tasted, enjoyed by many family members and friends in her home, that led to opening a small restaurant on Krome Ave, Homestead, Florida:  “El Toro Taco”.  Estefana was the sole owner for 41 years of El Toro Taco Restaurant.  The daily operation of the restaurant was under her supervision, along with the general work & maintenance which was taken on by family members and many workers from the Homestead Community.  Her life pathway took her from San Luis Potosi , Mexico to the migrant trail of picking vegetables & cotton to Texas.  That trail would take through many western states up to Washington state, returning to Los Fresnos, Texas until the next picking season.  That next trip would lead them to South Dade County, Homestead, Florida.

This life learned experiences molded her into a successful businesswoman and deep rooted legacy in the Homestead Miami-Dade Community.  She arrived here in Homestead in a migrant work “camone” truck.  The truck parked on the back parking lot of Diana’s Café on 21 South Krome Ave around 1962.  This set the platform of pivotal role within the City of Homestead community.  It all started at 21 South Krome at Diana’s Cafe an established restaurant from 1940’s.  That particular business became the opening that Estefana was looking for, Diana’s Café was closing and property was up for rent.  

Estefana seized the opportunity for progress and building a new future for her family: Pablo, six children, & one of her stepsons, Jose Lopez Hernandez.  She created from that small café kitchen Mexican plates of food, at its base the corn & flour Tortillas. Granted in those days City of Homestead was your traditional Anglo-American, most people did not know what tacos, burritos, or gorditas were. 

Some days there were no sales, but Estefana with all her respect and gratitude for the community and respecting herself too!  She would stand outside the Café and give away free samples to passersby.  I’m not saying small portions of a burrito, but it was full size – free. She was expressing her love for her Mexican food, love for her dream of becoming successful, love for the community.  To date we are still stopped by many in Homestead, where they share the memories and impact of our mother, Estefana Hernandez. 

This small beginning was an incredibly challenging feat of continuous hard work, but together with her dream, the American dream, to be successful - grew to what is now El Toro Taco Properties. It provided structure and outlets for small businesses to build on their own dreams.  Estefana’s success is part of the whole community of Homestead.  She’s been recognized by many of the city’s public and private organizations.  El Toro Taco Properties continues its legacy of Estefana Hernandez life’s journey. This tribute is a bridge between the past and to the present, building hope, prosperity and progress for the City of Homestead.