Nena’s Taquitos endures as a Plainview Institution By Reece Nations, For The Herald In a town full of staple eats and excellent cuisine, Nena’s Taquitos stands out as one of Plainview’s most reliable spots for great food. Kayla Cabrera, owner of Nena’s, said she took over the restaurant a few years ago when her mother, its matriarch and namesake, Elena “Nena” Cabrera, passed it on to her. Since then, she has embraced the responsibility of maintaining a well-loved local business while honoring her family’s legacy. Everything’s fresh,” Cabrera said. “We cut our potatoes, we make our beans, we don’t buy anything from a can—nothing.” For this lean team of three dedicated staff members, preparing food is more than just a labor of love. As a legacy business and family-owned operation, delivering delicious meals at affordable prices has been a multigenerational calling. Cabrera said Nena’s represents the realization of one of her late mother’s lifelong dreams. “It was one of her dreams growing up,” she said.
Cabrera said her mother worked for many years as a cafeteria employee for the Kress Independent School District and brought her passion for cooking with her when the family moved to Plainview in 1990. That passion would eventually grow into what Nena’s Taquitos is today — a staple in the community with a loyal customer base. Cabrera said Nena’s has operated in its current location, just a block from Wayland Baptist University, for about 30 years. Today, its white-paneled building with a red roof has become one of West Fifth Street’s most recognizable landmarks. The restaurant is located at 2010 W. Fifth St., between Travis and Smythe streets. Notably, Nena’s operates with exceptionally early hours for customers looking to grab a bite before the sun comes up. Nena’s is open Tuesday through Friday from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Saturdays from 6 a.m. to noon. It is closed Sundays and Mondays. Cabrera said arriving early is just one of the ways the business has built its reputation for dedication and consistency. “We get here at 2:30 every morning,” she
said. Cabrera said there are even times when staff come in on their days off to prepare special orders for loyal customers who request them in advance. Between its early hours and its effort to keep menu prices affordable, Nena’s commitment to going above and beyond for its patrons is evident in its daily operations. That dedication has not gone unnoticed. The restaurant has earned recognition in the community through annual Reader’s Choice awards, taking silver for best burritos in 2023 and silver for best breakfast in 2024. Some of the restaurant’s most popular offerings include a variety of all-day breakfast items such as tacos and burritos, along with homemade salsa, chalupas and barbacoa. Other customer favorites include chorizo plates, nachos and, of course, its signature meat taquitos. Whether customers are in the mood for a quick snack
or a full meal, Nena’s continues to serve Plainview residents with a strong sense of community and personal connection. “I’ll always ask (customers), ‘Do you want hot or mild?’ I think everyone knows that’s our motto,” Cabrera said. “I memorize everybody. I may not know your name, but I know what you eat.” Nena’s Taquitos is a cash-or-check-only establishment. Customers can keep up with the business’s day-to-day operations through its official Facebook page, where updates and announcements are regularly posted.