Exploring Life & Business with Marisela Sierra of Navarro’s Mexican Takeout

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisela Sierra.

Hi Marisela, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Navarro’s has been in my family since 1985—my mom bought it when she was just 18 years old. She was young, determined and she built this amazing little takeout restaurant with a loyal following in Muskegon Heights. I basically grew up in the kitchen—watching my mom work her magic—but I never expected to take it over one day.

Everything changed when we lost her suddenly to leukemia. It was heartbreaking. But in that grief, my husband Felix and I decided to carry on her legacy. We stepped in, took over Navarro’s, and honestly—it’s been a whirlwind ever since.

We didn’t just want to keep the business running; we wanted to grow it. I’ve leaned into catering, tightened up the menu, and even won some pitch competitions to help fund a walk-in cooler (which is a big deal for our kitchen!). We’re still a small, takeout-only spot, but we’re known for our stone-ground tamales and our bold Tex-Mex gravy, and we regularly sell out.

It’s been a mix of honoring tradition and stepping into new opportunities. Every day brings something different, but I’m passionate about what we do—and I feel so grateful to be part of a legacy that’s nearly 50 years strong.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road—but I think that’s just part of the journey when you’re running a small business, especially one with as much history as ours. There have been plenty of challenges along the way. One of the biggest has been learning how to think like a business owner—strategically, not just day-to-day. I had to get comfortable with managing finances, understanding margins, and making decisions that keep us sustainable in the long run.

And then of course, like many others, we’ve had to pivot during times of uncertainty—whether that’s storms knocking out power and ruining product, or navigating changes in customer behavior. It’s taught me to stay flexible and keep a problem-solving mindset. I’ve definitely learned to roll with the punches—sometimes literally, when things spill in the kitchen!

But through it all, I’ve tried to stay grounded in why I’m doing this: to carry on my mom’s legacy and serve our community with love and really good food. Every challenge has pushed me to grow—and I’ll admit, I’m proud of how far we’ve come.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Navarro’s is a small-but-mighty takeout restaurant in Muskegon Heights that’s been serving up Tex-Mex comfort food for nearly 50 years. We’re family-owned—third-generation now!—and we’re known for our stone-ground tamales, wet burritos smothered in our bold, signature gravy (not spicy, just full of flavor), and catering that brings that same homemade goodness to events across West Michigan.

What sets us apart is heart. Our food is made with love and tradition—literally passed down through generations—but we’re not afraid to innovate. We’ve kept that old-school flavor while evolving the business to meet the moment. That means tightening up operations, improving packaging, growing our catering services, and finding creative ways to stay connected with our community, both online and in person.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud that we’ve stayed authentic. Navarro’s isn’t fancy—but it’s real. It’s rooted in culture, family, and hustle. And we’ve earned a reputation for being that go-to spot that consistently delivers comfort food that hits the spot.

If there’s one thing I want readers to know, it’s this: we might be small, but our flavors are bold, our story is deep, and when you support Navarro’s, you’re supporting legacy, resilience, and some seriously good tamales.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I don’t have just one favorite childhood memory—I have a whole collection of them, all rooted in Navarro’s. I grew up there. It was our second home. My brother and I used to play “restaurant” at the front counter using Monopoly money, totally convinced we were helping run the place. I remember early mornings at the Farmer’s Market, watching my parents set up their food trailer while it was still dark outside. And one of my favorite full-circle moments was taking prom pictures at Navarro’s, because my dad was working and didn’t want to miss seeing me all dressed up. So I brought prom to him.

Those memories—big and small—shaped who I am. Navarro’s showed me what hard work looks like, how much people value connection, and what it means to be consistent and committed. I watched my parents form relationships that lasted decades, serve our community with pride, and never back down when things got tough. I feel lucky to have grown up in a place like that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.navarrosonline.com
• Instagram: navarrosmuskegon
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/navarrosmuskegon