By Boulder County Farmers Markets

When Rolando Marroquin first moved to Boulder from Monterrey, Mexico, his goal was simple: to improve his English.

That was over 25 years ago. What began as a temporary move quickly turned into a lifelong journey that would leave a lasting mark on Boulder’s food scene.

While studying political science and economics at the University of Colorado Boulder, Rolando took a job in the restaurant industry to earn some money on the side. But over time, he realized he was gaining more than a paycheck. He was learning the ins and outs of running a restaurant — skills that would prove invaluable years later.

So, when several years after graduation he still wasn’t able to find any good Northern Mexican food in Boulder, he had the tools to fill that hole in the market himself. With frequent calls to his mother and grandmother back in Mexico, he began to develop recipes that reminded him of home.

Rather than open a traditional restaurant, Rolando leaned on his post-grad experience in real estate and chose a more flexible, cost-effective model: a food truck. In 2013, Tacos del Norte was born.

Luckily, around the same time, Rolando was introduced to his now wife Belén Díez through mutual friends. The partnership quickly blossomed — personally and professionally. With a background in marketing, Belén brought a new level of strategy and promotion to the business, helping it grow into what it is today.

After slowly solidifying their food truck business, the pair had a few regular spots that they would park and sell tacos: one in North Boulder, the other at Bitter Bar right downtown. The Boulder Farmers Market manager back in 2016 ended up being a repeat customer, which eventually led them to get involved in the market themselves. For Rolando, it was a full-circle moment. Years earlier, he’d spent Wednesday evenings wandering the market himself, especially when working downtown with chef Antonio Laudisio.

Tacos del Norte quickly became a beloved fixture at both the Wednesday and Saturday Boulder Farmers Markets. Rolando believes the market is more than just a place to sell food — it’s a community. Over the years, many customers have become friends and even sources of catering opportunities. Participating in the market has allowed him to fulfill his original mission: bringing authentic Northern Mexican food to Boulder.

Their menu has stayed consistent over the years — simple, delicious, and rooted in tradition. Rolando meticulously refined each recipe in the early days, so there’s been little need for change. His personal favorites? The rich mole he still makes by hand and the tender carnitas.

Something else that makes Tacos del Norte’s food stand out is the sourcing of their ingredients. Being involved in the market naturally connects the food court chefs to local farmers, meaning that many of the ingredients that are used in their recipes are sourced from other vendors. Tacos del Norte gets most of their produce (other than limes and avocados, of course) from Miller Family Farms.

Rolando has also become more involved with the Boulder County Farmers Markets organization over the years, serving on the Board of Directors for the past two seasons. This role has given him a platform to advocate for the needs of food court vendors and gain deeper insight into the organization’s inner workings.

Meanwhile, Rolando and Belén’s family continues to grow alongside their business. They now have three seasonal employees, including their head chef Victor, who’s been with them for eight years. At home, they’re raising a two-year-old child — making them especially thankful for a business model that offers natural seasonal pauses and flexibility.

Even though life has gotten busier, Rolando and Belén have no plans to stop providing the Boulder community with authentic Northern Mexican cuisine. Tacos del Norte caters weddings and other private events and can be found at the Boulder Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 3:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. each week.