Creator Spotlight: Fray Ruiz, Tacos El Kohuich

Fray Ruiz, Owner, Tacos El Kohuich at Politan Row at Ashford Lane

What’s your origin story? I was born in Nayarit, Mexico, as one of 12 siblings. At 10, I immigrated to California, then moved to Atlanta in 2003 seeking better opportunities. My passion for cooking, especially tacos, grew from my family’s background in the kitchen. After attending festivals with my wife, we realized there was a market for street food. We decided to take part in a Cinco de Mayo festival, and it was a success.

Encouraged by the positive response, I started selling tacos at festivals while working my 9-5 job. Juggling both was tough, but after a year, the demand for my tacos grew so much that I took a leap of faith, quit my job, and turned Tacos El Kohuich into my full-time business.

How did you come up with the concept for Tacos El Kohuich?

As Mexicans, we hold culture and family close to our hearts. The skull in Day of the Dead represents loved ones who have passed, honoring and remembering them. Sugar skulls celebrate life and death as part of the natural cycle. The orange marigold flowers, or cempasúchil, guide spirits back to the living with their vibrant color and scent. Our logo reflects this symbolism: the skull honors our loved ones, and the orange represents the marigolds guiding their spirits back to us.

What is the best dish on your menu?

That’s a tough one! if I had to pick, I’d say our birria Tacos are a must try. The flavors are just incredible and a Fan Favorite.

What do you do when you are not working? When I'm not working, I enjoy exploring new recipes, spending quality time with my family, going shooting or hunting and watching sports.

Any future plans for Tacos El Kohuich? Our future plans for Tacos El Kohuich include expanding our menu with limited-time seasonal tacos or other Mexican dishes maybe a special Cinco de Mayo , or day of the dead tacos with unique presentations.  We also plan to launch branded merchandise to further connect with our customer in a near future .