Chef Roberto “Beto Correa,” owner of Beto’s Tacos Inc., loves to share his culture and his passion for authentic Mexican food. In fact, you can get a taste of his popular Mexican cuisine at one of Beto’s Tacos’ three locations in the Gwinnett area: Suwanee, Lawrenceville and Johns Creek. The first time you meet Beto, there is an undeniable sense of sincerity and a willingness to go above and beyond for his customers and the people who work for him.
Please tell us a little about your family.
My wife and I met for the first time working for the same company in Alpharetta. She was relocated to the Hotel Marriott Alpharetta, the same hotel that I was working for at the time. Silvia and I connected since the first day. She has a great personality and is very well connected with the people around her. She smiles all the time, and she created a great impact to our guests in the hotel — but not only to our guests, but also to our coworkers.
She is from South America, specifically from Peru. At the beginning of our relationship, she did not know I was from Mexico, since I never mentioned it. One day I took her to a Mexican restaurant, and I asked for a torta, which is a sandwich. In her country, a torta is a cake, so she was expecting a cake! This led to me finally telling her where I was from, and this was the beginning of our story. Silvia has a great talent and remembers everyone’s names and has a great impact on Beto’s. She has sacrificed a lot for me over the past 20 years and she is my life! I have two sons with Silvia, Mathew and Alex, who are 17 and 19 years old. Alex’s dream is to play professional soccer and Mathew dreams of film directing. They are working hard in school and help my family and me in business as well.
My wife and I both work a lot in Beto’s Tacos, our family business. When we have time to relax, we like to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and talk about our goals and dreams that we want to achieve in the future for our company.
Tell us about your current and past career. What do you love most about it?
It all started 36 years ago in Nevada when I worked as a prep for a small Mexican store. A couple months later I applied for a property hotel that had their own restaurant and was offered the opportunity to go to school and become a chef. After working for multiple companies in the state of Nevada, specifically in the Vegas area, and gaining enough experience, I received an opportunity to come to Atlanta 23 years ago as a chef for Sheraton Hotel.
Throughout the years, I worked for multiple companies like Crown Plaza and Chipotle. I have been in the catering business for 12 years in the Atlanta area. I have always worked seven days a week for many companies. The rewards are great from working hard.
What I love most is being able to feed people. Most caterers just drop off food. We create an experience of gathering, celebrating, and family wherever we go. We love to share our culture with so many different people. Seeing my employees happy brings me great joy! I try to instill in them that anything is possible for them, if they want it bad and work hard enough. When I retire one day, I hope to sell my restaurants to some of my staff and keep the business going.
What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Sushi Nami and Bottles & Bones. I also love Korean BBQ.
How long have you lived or worked here?
Four years.
What is your favorite thing about Suwanee?
I am very thankful for the people of Suwanee and to the City of Suwanee, who are all very supportive and feel like family to me. I love the family style we have here and the place that I want to live and raise my boys, and have my business.
What current or former business, or place, makes you feel the most nostalgic?
The old building where Dillard’s BBQ was at the corner of Buford Highway and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.
What is something on your bucket list?
More tailgating at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, white water rafting and kayaking in North Carolina.
When I retire, I would like to open a fine-dining Mexican restaurant. Life is very short.
If you could take anyone to lunch, dead or alive, who would that be and where would you go?
I would take a good friend to StillFire Brewing if casual, and enjoy food from various restaurants in the area. In a more formal setting, I would take a friend to Bottles & Bones.
What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
There are many! Aspen is very beautiful.
What was the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
The Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith.
What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
To be humble, passionate in everything you do, and always care for others. Life is to enjoy! I also encourage my staff to share their story and be part of the difference to be made.
Who is the most interesting person you have ever met in Suwanee?
I have met so many people — it would be impossible to name the most interesting. I have met a lot of professional sports athletes here and people from all walks of life.
Tell me something interesting about you that most people don’t know about you.
I think that people have a stereotype and don’t realize what I can accomplish.
Would you rather sing to a crowd of 50 people or speak to a crowd of 500?
I prefer no singing!