Lopez Taco House began when Maria Lopez began to appreciate that her talents for cooking might lead to a business opportunity.
Maria Antonio Ortez was born in Brownsvile Texas. She came to Albion and worked at the old A&W across from Brooks Foundry as a car hop when Manny Lopez stopped by for a coney dog. They married in 1956.
Maria and Manuel were members of the local Latin America Club, which used to hold dances on Saturday Nights. Maria ran the kitchen there serving up tacos and other Mexican staples. They began serving customers in July 1975 at the old “Brick Alley” location.
Maria worked at McGraw-Edison, Yankees, and the Royal Cafe before she opened Lopez Taco House with her husband on Christmas Eve in 1975.
Initially it was Maria that did all the cooking for the first five years, because Manuel had a good job working for Goodyear in Jackson. Eventually he took over Maria’s culinary duties.
The building at 205 N. Superior Street formerly housed Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant, but the owners did not want it any more, so the Lopezes moved in.
Maria passed away in 2011, and Manuel worked in the business after that, working with his son, Daniel. Manuel died in 2018. His obituary can be seen here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/albion-mi/manuel-lopez-8004361
Click the hat above to visit LopezTacoHouse.com.
See other articles about Albion History below

Juneteenth 2025
Juneteenth 2025 starts NEXT Friday June 20, 6 p.m. at Harris Field! Enjoy a free game at Harris Field and cheer Albion on! PlayRight Sports

Albion’s First Decoration Day – Historical Reflections by Frank Passic
In honor of Memorial Day 2025, we are pleased to share a column from local historian Frank Passic, first published in the Morning Star on

Historical Marker for Mother’s Day
The first known observance of Mother’s Day occurred on May 13, 1877, and was held in Albion, Michigan over a dispute related to the

2024-2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Albion, Michigan
By Dr. Wesley Arden Dick, Albion College Emeritus Professor of History& Albion Branch NAACP Second Vice President “If I cannot do great things, I can

Indigenous Peoples’ Day
On Monday, October 4, 2021 Albion City Council unanimously approved the adaptation of the resolution to observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday of

Memories of Festival of the Forks
– By Tom Garnett, co-founder of Festival of the Forks Note: On Saturday, September 21, 2002 the 35th Festival of the Forks was celebrated on