RIVERSIDE, Calif. — If you are a taqueria in the city of Riverside, it can be hard to stand out. Martin Sanchez, the owner of Tio's Tacos, knows that.
“The world has a lot of restaurants with good food, but I wanted to make something different,” said Sanchez.
What better way to stand out than with giant sculptures made from garbage?
“I use everything recycled from the restaurant. We don’t throw [away] nothing for 25 years,” he said.
Running a restaurant creates lots of waste but instead of throwing it out Martin got creative with his trash.
“I made the piece with chicken wire and filled it with cans — anything," he said.
Martin says you can make anything out of trash if you put your mind to it. Tin cans can be mariachi players, old bottles can be bricks and his daughter’s toys can be... something you have to see to fully appreciate.
“Yes, these Barbie dolls used to be my daughter’s,” he said while adjusting what looks like a Christmas tree with Barbies instead of pine needles.
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Martin has no formal artistic training and he doesn’t call himself an artist. Instead, he’s more of a dreamer.
“This is the American Dream, and this is my dream come true,” said Martin.
Martin grew up in Michoacán, Mexico and was forced to work at a young age after his father died.
“Shoe shining, this was my first work in Mexico when I was 5-years-old,” said Martin.
He eventually made it to California by selling fruit and nuts.
“When I got an opportunity, I bought a taco cart and started in United States in 1984 in East LA," he said.
In 1990, Martin opened Tio’s Tacos. Little by little he built the place up by hand with whatever he could find, like glass bottles.
“I don’t have money for brick, so I used the bottles,” he said.
Martin’s upcycled artwork now spans an entire city block. You will find beautiful mosaics made from broken tile and odd sculptures that Martin says were inspired by his memories from Mexico. He says he’s a long way from finished.
“When I pass away, I will be done," he said.
Martin admits the city didn’t see his artistic vision in the beginning but now Tio’s Tacos is a cherished landmark Riverside is proud of.
MORE GOOD EATS ON THE BACKROADS: The Outpost Cafe: where hungry travelers fill up before heading up Highway 395, one of California's best routes for a road trip.
