After coming to the United States in the early 70s, Javier Ruiz, worked with his brother in the restaurant industry. In 1983, with his brothers help, Javier opened Cotijas taco shop in California. It was at this shop that his son, Oscar, grew to love the family business, spending his free time, grating cheese, rolling taquitos, washing pots and pans, and becoming more and more passionate about the work, dreaming of a restaurant of his own.