MAZATLÁN, MEXICO — Three local food businesses have shuttered their doors this week in Mazatlán, reflecting a growing struggle for the city’s culinary sector. Roberto Osuna Valdez, president of the National Gastronomic Council of Mazatlán (Conagam), confirmed the closures, noting that many establishments are struggling to maintain operations during nighttime hours.
Among the closures is a well-known taquería owned by Osuna Valdez himself, which closed its doors approximately 15 days ago. However, Osuna Valdez clarified that his business’s closure is temporary. He expressed his intention to reopen in January and plans to launch a home-delivery “taquiza” service in mid-November—a common strategy for local restaurants facing a lack of nighttime foot traffic.
The Shift in Consumer Habits
Osuna Valdez reported that the businesses grouped under the council are facing significant hardships. Most sales are currently occurring through home delivery, and he described the current environment as a “struggle.”
He noted that while restaurants are seeing more activity in the morning, the midday rush is less consistent, and those relying on nighttime crowds are suffering the most. When asked if conditions will improve by January given the violent incidents reported in various parts of the city, he expressed skepticism regarding the remainder of the year.
“I hope things will be different for January,” he added. If not, his plan is to double down on morning and midday services.
Economic Impact on Renters and Rural Areas
The shift in service hours has been ongoing for 25 months. During this period, many restaurants that previously only served dinner have pivoted to breakfast, while those that were exclusively midday spots have also adjusted.
Osuna Valdez lamented that for those paying rent, the overhead is often insurmountable. “Rents finish you,” he remarked, advising that anyone looking to rent his space should consider a daytime business rather than a nighttime one.
The impact on rural areas has been even more severe. Restaurants in the countryside primarily operate on Sundays and during the morning and midday hours. They have never traditionally operated at night, and Osuna Valdez clarified that this is due to demand rather than security.
He estimated that roughly 50 percent of rural businesses have closed over the last 25 months, citing specific examples of closures in El Quelite, La Noria, and El Recodo. He noted that many of the owners who ceased operations in the countryside have moved to the urban areas of the port.
The rural migration is significant, as Osuna Valdez stated that 50 percent of his staff in Mazatlán comes from the rural zone. “I applaud those who came to the urban area of the port and continue to provide work for the people,” he said.
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