San Francisco chef faces tariffs, fears of ICE raids while fighting to preserve Oaxacan culture
Now the proud chef and owner of Donaji, a Oaxacan restaurant in San Francisco's Mission District, Cuevas said quality has always been a priority. But between the struggles brought on by COVID-19 and now rising tariffs, he's growing increasingly concerned.
"To-go stuff comes from overseas, most of them, and we got hit — that, the tariffs. We are a Mexican restaurant — avocados, limes — that's another thing that could affect us," Cuevas said.
He's referring to a 30% tariff on Mexican imports set to go into effect on Aug. 1. Even as he braces for the economic hit, Cuevas said he's doing everything possible to keep prices reasonable for his guests.
"We are just trying to balance it out. We are in a neighborhood, the Mission, which is Latino. We just don't want to be expensive for people. We are just trying to manage the prices as best as we can," he said.
Cuevas believes the only way to make that happen is to bring more people into the restaurant. Despite Donaji being featured in the Michelin Guide, he's noticed fewer guests — a drop he attributes to fear following recent ICE raids across California.
"I can see it because there are not much Latinos getting out, eating. We are just like, not comfortable. We are not comfortable going out. We are not comfortable right now with the scenario that is happening," Cuevas said.
But no matter the mounting pressures, he refuses to compromise the quality of his dishes. From fresh Oaxacan cheese to flavorful moles, Cuevas said he's proud to share his heritage.
"Great food, great environment, and I think that's one more thing that I want to keep alive, is our culture, our traditions. And the only way to do it is just doing it and sharing it with people — to keep it alive," he said.
For Isai Cuevas, this isn't just about keeping a restaurant open, it's about keeping a culture and a community thriving.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'We Were Not Planning On This Kind Of Expenditure At This Point In Our Lives,' How These Parents Are Dealing With Their 'Boomerang Kid'
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Two parents from Sherman Oaks, California, moved their 24-year-old daughter back into the family home in early 2024. In their mid-60s, the parents, who asked to remain anonymous when speaking to CNBC, expected that they'd be closing in on retirement at this point in their lives. Instead, they're canceling vacations and delaying retirement in order to accommodate their daughter's $5,000 a month living expenses. "We were not planning on this kind of expenditure at this point of our lives," the mother told CNBC. "The reason we do it is because we don't want to see her on the street." The family isn't alone in having their plans upended by the unexpected return of an adult child. The phenomenon, which experts have termed "boomerang kids," has been steadily growing over the last few years. Don't Miss: In terms of getting money back, . Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." A Thrivent study on boomerang kids released in 2025 found that 46% of parents report that their adult children, ages 18-35, have moved back home at some point. The reasons for these moves vary from economic factors like debt, stagnant wages, and rising housing costs to personal factors like divorce or illness. While many parents say they are happy to provide a safety net for their children, there's also recognition that it often has a significant and negative impact on their own finances. According to the survey, 38% of boomerang parents say that having their children move back in has impacted their ability to save for long-term goals like retirement. The Sherman Oaks parents say they are feeling that pinch, to the point that it has caused tension in their relationship with their daughter. So they've turned to parenting coach Kim Muench for help navigating their new situation. Trending: Named a TIME Best Invention and Backed by 5,000+ Users, Kara's Air-to-Water Pod Cuts Plastic and Costs — The move is a great first step in healing the rifts that boomerang situations can create, Muench told CNBC. "Parents sometimes hesitate to get help for themselves and invest in their health ... because they're already spending more than they would like to support their adult or emerging adult children," she says. Ultimately, though, Muench says open and honest conversations about money and timelines are the only way to ensure the familial bonds won't be permanently affected by a return home. She suggests starting with small financial boundaries, like asking your child to contribute towards a bill or put a set amount of money away in a savings account to mimic paying rent. "When their son or daughter is not taking [financial responsibility] on incrementally, [parents] actually get very worried that they will be financially providing for the rest of their lives," Muench told CNBC. "It takes consistent conversations, because it's probably not going to happen in the first conversation," she continued. "And it takes an emotional maturity level on both the parents and the emerging adult side to figure out how they can work together." Read Next: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . With Point, you can Image: Shutterstock This article 'We Were Not Planning On This Kind Of Expenditure At This Point In Our Lives,' How These Parents Are Dealing With Their 'Boomerang Kid' originally appeared on
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US imposes a 17% duty on fresh Mexican tomatoes
The U.S. government said Monday it is placing a 17% duty on most fresh Mexican tomatoes after negotiations ended without an agreement to avert the tariff. Proponents said the import tax will help rebuild the shrinking U.S. tomato industry and ensure that produce eaten in the U.S. is also grown there. Mexico currently supplies around 70% of U.S. tomato market, up from 30% two decades ago, according to the Florida Tomato Exchange. But opponents, including U.S. companies that grow tomatoes in Mexico, said the tariff will make fresh tomatoes more expensive for U.S. buyers. The Commerce Department said in late April that it was withdrawing from a deal it first reached with Mexico in 2019 to settle allegations the country was exporting tomatoes to the U.S. at artificially low prices, a practice known as dumping. As part of the deal, Mexico had to sell its tomatoes at a minimum price and abide by other rules. Since then, the agreement has been subject to periodic reviews, but the two sides always reached an agreement that avoided duties. In announcing its withdrawal from the Tomato Suspension Agreement, the Commerce Department said in late April that it had been 'flooded with comments' from U.S. tomato growers who wanted better protection from Mexican imports. But others, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Restaurant Association, had called on the Commerce Department to reach an agreement with Mexico. In a letter sent last week to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the Chamber of Commerce and 30 other business groups said U.S. companies employ 50,000 workers and generate $8.3 billion in economic benefits moving tomatoes from Mexico into communities across the country. 'We are concerned that withdrawing from the agreement – at a time when the business community is already navigating significant trade uncertainty – could lead to retaliatory actions by our trading partners against other commodities and crops that could create further hardship for U.S. businesses and consumers,' the letter said.
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Serena Williams' Husband Alexis Ohanian Makes Personal Announcement on Monday
Serena Williams' Husband Alexis Ohanian Makes Personal Announcement on Monday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tennis legend Serena Williams has shifted her focus from the court to family and business life. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 73 WTA singles trophies, she now celebrates victories off the court, especially those of her husband, Alexis Ohanian. Known for her support of women's sports, Williams once called Ohanian the 'GOAT of investing' in a video posted online. 'He started a whole movement in women's sports by getting billions invested,' she said proudly. Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and founder of venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, just revealed some exciting news. On Monday, it was announced that he will be joining Season 17 of Shark Tank as a guest investor. The show, known for giving entrepreneurs a chance to land life-changing deals, is entering a new chapter following the exit of long-time shark Mark Cuban. Ohanian took to X to confirm the news, writing, 'Looks like the secret is out. Can't wait for yall to watch." The announcement comes at a time when Shark Tank is undergoing big changes. For the first time, the show will shift from its usual Friday slot to Wednesdays at 10/9c this fall on ABC. This season features a lineup of fresh guest sharks including Poppi's Allison Ellsworth, Magnolia founders Chip and Joanna Gaines, Michael Strahan, Kendra Scott and Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver. Ohanian's entry brings a strong tech and investment background to the Tank. Known for backing innovative ideas and supporting women-led ventures, his presence is expected to shake things up. Williams and Ohanian continue to show that even outside the spotlight, they remain one of the most inspiring power couples story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
