From Michoacán to Las Vegas: The culinary success of Javier Barajas

The Mexican chef arrived in Las Vegas 41 years ago to pursue his dream and now runs five successful restaurants.

Las Vegas is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World and Sin City, but it’s also a land of opportunity where dreams come true through hard work and perseverance.

For Javier Barajas, originally from a small town in Michoacán, Mexico, the bustling streets, dazzling lights, and casinos of Las Vegas paved the way for him to fulfill his dream of becoming a chef and providing a better life for his family.

Forty-one years ago, he began his journey with a car-washing job, where he met someone who gave him an opportunity in the restaurant industry. For 13 years, Javier worked two jobs, saving up to establish himself as a prominent Latino entrepreneur in the area.

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As a chef, his expertise comes from two rich culinary traditions: the Michoacán cuisine, one of the most renowned in the world, which he studied in a seminar in Tacámbaro, and Italian cuisine, which he learned during a trip to Venice, where he took courses to specialize.

Today, Javier Barajas owns four Lindo Michoacán restaurants and one called Il Toro e la Capra. He employs around 600 people, mainly Latinos—Mexicans, Guatemalans, Venezuelans, and Salvadorans. This brings him immense pride and allows him to provide a steady income for them and their families.

What sets Javier’s restaurants apart is their roots, his passion for Mexican cuisine, and the incorporation of folk art that brings his hometown to life—like Paracho guitars, copper work, basketry, and other artisanal traditions that are integral to Lindo Michoacán, a restaurant centered around Mexican gastronomy.

At Il Toro e la Capra, his ability to merge two great culinary traditions, Mexican and Italian, stands out. As he says, diners can order whatever they want.

“This restaurant is popular because people come and order mole, but instead of rice and beans, they want pasta, and we give them pasta or rice and beans,”

As for his clientele, he notes, “It’s about half and half; there are many Latinos and many Anglos,” since both groups highly appreciate Mexican and Italian food. Additionally, Las Vegas is one of the most important tourist destinations for the Mexican-American community in the U.S., making this cuisine highly valued.

A testament to the fame and prestige of Javier’s restaurants is that two prominent U.S. political figures, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, recently visited his establishments while campaigning. Javier mentions that Biden’s visit to Lindo Michoacán was his last public appearance before stepping back from the campaign trail.

On the significance of the Latino vote, Javier emphasizes its importance: “The Latino community is crucial for politicians. Our vote can tip the scales one way or the other”, he says while touring Il Toro e la Capra alongside Antonio Anistro, filled with diners who appreciate both the food and the warmth of the atmosphere.

Next time you visit Las Vegas, Nevada, don’t miss the flavors of Lindo Michoacán and Il Toro e la Capra—the best restaurants in the city, according to Javier himself.