In the heart of Fargo, North Dakota, amidst the bustling community, lies a slice of Mexico brought to life by Rosalinda Garcia and her family. Rosalinda, a vibrant soul with a deep connection to her heritage, graciously shares her story of love, tradition, and community through the art of cooking.
“My name is Rosalinda Garcia,” she begins. “I am 29 years old, a wife to an amazing husband Marco Garcia, and together we share 3 children, Bella, Matheo, and Leo.” Rosalinda’s roots trace back to Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, where she spent her formative years, embracing both her Hispanic and Italian heritage.
The journey into culinary entrepreneurship began as a cherished family tradition, a legacy passed down through generations. “It all started as family time,” Rosalinda reminisces. “I remember always baking and cooking with my Abuelita. It made my heart so happy, and I wanted to share that joy with my children.” Thus, Rosalinda and her daughter embarked on a culinary adventure, offering a delightful array of Mexican treats at their business.
Their menu boasts an enticing selection of dishes, including Mexican tres leches cakes—offered in big, indulgent slices or whole upon request—flan, chocoFlan, as well as refreshing agua frescas and Mexican ice cream bolis. “These treats are a tribute to my childhood,” Rosalinda explains. “I’ve always been captivated by the diverse flavors and vibrant colors of Mexican cuisine.”
Yet, beyond the realm of culinary delights, Rosalinda and her family are deeply ingrained in the fabric of their community. “We absolutely love our community of Fargo,” Rosalinda expresses. “Our goal is to bring our traditions to make it feel more authentic and like home.” She shares their ambitious goal: “By 2025, we aim to start back up our Christmas event and provide assistance to families facing medical hardships.” Their approach is simple yet profound—no questions asked, no judgments passed.
“Our Christmas event became, of when our family was going through a very hard time,” Rosalinda shares. “I ended up having uterine rupture, where I almost passed away, and little Leo was fighting for his life in the NICU. Bella and Matheo stayed at grandma’s while I was recovering. On one of our drives to pick them up and spend time with them, Bella noticed a family sleeping in a tent right over the bridge. She had millions of questions at the age of 8, ‘Mom, but why? It’s cold, they are hungry!’ She stated there are many new buildings; why can’t they stay there? And then, ‘Can they live with us?’ As mom and dad, we didn’t have all the answers to why. Instead, Bella said, ‘Let’s help them!’ We went and brought them a meal. And dropped the little ones back off while we went back to the NICU. My head was going crazy with why? And how come? Could you imagine a child’s mind has no limits to the changes they can make in our society!”
“So once we were home and settled in,” Rosalinda continues, “Bella said, ‘Mom, can we make our pretzels and strawberries to give to them for Christmas?’ So that is what we did! We started giving back as much as we can! The next couple of months came, Bella was planning her lemonade stands to raise funds to give gifts and stockings but also a party of joy! But then our daughter was diagnosed with a vascular malformation that needed surgery to remove. After multiple trips to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, then to Mayo as her condition was more complicated and needed treatment at Mayo, we started off our journey. After the loss of jobs due to no more PTO, our savings was gone after our NICU journey. We found ourselves short on bills and basic items. I started baking and making food to help support our family!”
“We didn’t have much to give at this time,” Rosalinda admits, “we did prepare meals and give to our neighbors on occasions, but it was difficult. We have been on this medical journey since 2021! And it continues; this last month we embraced our daughter’s new normal: as her malformation is reoccurring as it grows she will have to have surgery throughout her life. It’s wrapped in a very complicated spot on her arm on her vascular system. They are not always able to remove the root due to it being so close to her veins, without causing damage, so we have accepted and embraced as we prepare for her 4th surgery in the last couple of years at Mayo in June – July. Our goal is to manage our little bakery we opened to be able to financially support our family during this journey. We can close when we need to medically and open back up! It is difficult but we are doing it! We are coming up on our 1 year this July as well! Our goal is to be able to help others in 2025!”
Their vision extends beyond mere hospitality and into the realms of profound empathy and transformative action. Through their Christmas event, Rosalinda and her family aim not only to spread joy but also to provide tangible support to those facing adversity. It is a testament to the resilience and generosity that define their commitment to their community.
As our conversation shifts to culinary delights, Rosalinda’s excitement is palpable, especially when discussing two beloved dishes: shredded chicken mole and tres leche cake. “Growing up, I loved mole!” she exclaims. “At first, I was hesitant—brown sauce? But when my grandmother revealed the magic behind it—all the toasted nuts, seeds, chiles, and chocolate—I was hooked!”
“Mole, with its rich complexity and comforting flavors, holds a special place in my heart,” Rosalinda reflects. “It’s more than just a sauce; it’s a labor of love, a connection to my roots.” Similarly, tres leche cake evokes cherished memories of carefree days in Juarez. “Having an extra, extra moist cake, dripping with milk and infused with vanilla and fruit, was an absolute treat,” she recalls with a fond smile.
Through her culinary creations and community endeavors, Rosalinda Garcia embodies the spirit of generosity, resilience, and love. With each dish she prepares and every act of kindness she extends, she leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of those around her. As she eloquently puts it, “Food has the power to transcend borders and bring people together. And in every bite, you can taste the soul of Mexico.”
For more information about Rosalinda and her business please visit her Facebook page, Website, or stop by the shop at 413 Broadway N, Fargo, ND 58102!
Leave a Reply