In Montgomery County’s strip-mall landscape, one family has quietly rewritten the script. Over the last twenty years, José and Teresa Valdivia and their extended family have transformed everyday storefronts into beloved culinary destinations that locals and beer lovers cherish.
It started in 2003 at Taco Bar El Güero, a gas-station counter tucked into Gaithersburg’s industrial fold. Despite changing from Chevron to W‑Express to Shell, the restaurant held firm, with al pastor, lengua, and smoky chorizo tacos earning fanatical loyalty. It’s a place that feels less like a quick stop and more like a hidden local treasure.
By 2017, the family expanded their vision to Ixtapalapa Taqueria, also in Gaithersburg. Named after Mexico City’s sprawling borough, this eatery gives space to scratch-made mole and hand-ground masa—each bite layered with care and craft that turns first-timers into regulars.
Next came La Gula Mexicana in Germantown, “authentic Mexican and new Mexican” in fast-casual form. Here, rotating antojitos and playful tacos show the family’s flair for balancing tradition with fresh creativity.
But the latest chapter is perhaps the boldest: Mayan Monkey Brewing Co., located in Olde Towne Gaithersburg. Built in the former Growlers space at 227 E. Diamond Ave, it’s the family’s first full-scale brewpub. Officially open since late 2024, Mayan Monkey brews house beers like Chula, a Mexican-style lager, and Block Party, an American black lager in collaboration with Saints Row. Head brewer Matt Furda, formerly at Landmade Brewing, leads the program with precision and passion. The brewpub also offers an expanded menu (think gorditas, burgers, wings), live music, and a lively, full-service vibe.
Together, these four spots tell a story of Gaithersburg innovation: immigrant-rooted family hospitality, culinary art, and now, the craft of locally brewed beer. In a place full of chains, they show how community and true flavor can flourish in the most unexpected places