Chosen as Favorite Caterer in 2025
A Community Staple
We are proud to be part of the Grand Rapids community and honored to have been voted Favorite Caterer in West Michigan Woman’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Food brings people together, and we look forward to creating many more memories and connections as we continue to strive for excellence.
Meet Mercedes Lopez-Duran
The Heart & History
of El Granjero
As a young girl in Mexico, Mercedes Lopez-Duran once thought she would become a teacher. However, her life would take many twists and turns before she finally realized her dream of cooking and owning a restaurant. Following many years of hard work as a secretary, an accountant, and a homemaker, Mercedes finally entered the restaurant scene in Mexico City as a dishwasher. It took only three days for her to earn her first promotion.
At 5’ tall, Mercedes was one inch too short to meet Mexico City restaurants’ height minimum for servers. So, after moving to Grand Rapids, she jumped at the chance to serve tables for the first time at Tacos El Ganadero. In time, the owner moved out of state, but Mercedes wanted to keep the restaurant open for the remaining employees. After 15 years in the restaurant business, she knew how to run a kitchen. Mercedes bought the restaurant, becoming cook and co-owner with her daughter, Paola R. Mendivil.
Authentic Taste & Farm-Fresh Ingredients
A Fresh Take on Tradition
Mercedes and Paola renamed the restaurant El Granjero, which means “the farmer,” to highlight their new focus on authentic Mexican dishes with the freshest ingredients.
Today, Mercedes continues to look for new inspiration in her travels to the Mexico City region and beyond. These trips have brought exciting new flavors to the restaurant, including the pink Jamaica flower now featured on the menu.
As El Granjero is now approaching 20 years in business, new leadership is taking over with hard work and innovation. Catering Coordinator, Gaby, is Mercedes's youngest daughter and brings professionalism and positive attitude to all catering requests! Alberto, from Baja California, is the new Kitchen Manager and has been working behind the scenes for a fresh menu including trendy items such as Fish Tacos for lent, Sopa de Tortilla for the fall and the year-round Quesabirrias!
