Meet Gustavo Chavez | Owner / Operator of carnitas el artista

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gustavo Chavez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gustavo, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in San Pedro California. My mother was a stay at home mom and cooked the traditional food we serve in our restaurant today. I honestly felt punished eating what we grew up with on our table. I was a kid in a mexican household I wanted burgers and fries.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
So being brought up in my day,school was not what was going through our minds because we grew up with very little so we had a mindset on working to make money to survive I was taught work ethic at a young age. And appreciated every single day off and what we had to eat. I remember when we would have cook outs only the men cooked and it was a big deal because it was like a entry into a competition if you had the stage everything had to be done right and with the best ingredients. That has definitely helped me set the standard of what I try and give every customer that comes through my door. I feel like it’s my opportunity to showcase the traditions I grew up with

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely take the to Sofi stadium to a Rams Game! I would tell them how much that organization has helped me in ways I could never imagine, I would then share with them the diverse experiences of Mexican street food LA has to offer. Showing Los Angeles off would be complete without visiting Dodgers stadium driving down Figueroa to the Kobe statue and spending time with family over some of my carnitas would definitely be a must

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I owe my family all the recognition that we have received to this date and all that may come. I come from a very humble (poor) background and upbringing I remember when my mom used to cook tamales, burritos, make agua frescas, sow, make flower arrangements to make ends meet she did everything she could to put clothes on our back and shoes on our feet. I know When I had the opportunity to open this restaurant I had to give it all had so my kids could be motivated and I could afford them what could be a chance to be successful business owners themselves. I mean know that I look back my mom was an entrepreneur

Website: Carnitaselartista.com

Instagram: @carnitaselartista