Carmen immigrated to Chicago from Mexico (San Luis Potosi) in the '80s. While in Chicago she operated a small Mexican grocery store while also working two factory jobs and eventually married Carlos - one of the store's long-time customers. In 1991, they opened La Reyna and have enjoyed serving their community ever since! 

Carlos, trained as an architect in his native Mexico, had immigrated to Chicago to work for an electronics company, but still enjoyed cooking with the ingredients of home he found at Carmen's grocery store.