Our story

Patria Nueva, Hidalgo, Mexico

Despite being one of the most underprivileged states in Mexico, Hidalgo is steeped in rich Otomi traditions and culture. Fidel and his four siblings grew up on the values of community, family and hard work. After school, Fidel’s duties included herding sheep and tending to their livestock, working the corn fields, and helping prepare his family’s dinners.

Fidel Gomez, 1992

Foreseeing limited opportunities in Mexico for his family, Fidel made the difficult decision to immigrate to the United States in 1997. Separated from everything he knew, he arrived to Fayetteville, Arkansas with little to his name and big dreams.

Fidel’s first job was a dishwashing position at a local Mexican restaurant. After working this job for some time, Fidel was promoted to line cook and then eventually manager.

Gomez Family, Fayettevile, AR, 1998

In November of 1999, Fidel and his family took a trip to Branson, Missouri. After noticing a lack of Mexican restaurants in the area, Fidel decided it was time he opened up a business that he and his family could call their own.

Little Hacienda has faithfully been serving the Branson and Hollister communities for over 20 years. While Little Hacienda is recognized as a traditional "Tex-Mex" restaurant, our fresh ingredients, beautiful presentation of plates and drinks, and modern interior design is what sets us apart from other local Mexican restaurants in the area.

T’ähä Mexican Kitchen, Kansas City, MO, 2024

T’ähä [TAH-HA] translates to dream in the Otomi language. The ancestral language of the Gomez family. A dream built two land-locked worlds. Hidalgo, Mexico and Missouri, USA. Drawing culture from the land and the heart of its people.

Family run and operated, T’ähä is Chef Fidel’s newest concept. A scratch kitchen that uses locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. We focus on ancestral cuisine from Central Mexico through an American Midwest perspective.