Torta Cubana just one of many authentic dishes made at this local restaurant. Take a look.
Editor’s Note: This story is part of Living Local, a regular series featuring a look inside local businesses — the things they make, services they provide and their impact on the community.
Maro Barragan puts his heart and soul into his cooking; a passion that led him to open a family-owned Mexican and Latin American restaurant in Macon.
In April 2017, the owner and chef opened Tzango: Cocina Del Mundo.
Barragan said his inspiration behind opening Tzango was sharing his culture and culinary expertise with others.
“I feel elated with each dish I cook, and it is quite therapeutic, so I thought, why not turn my passion into a business,” he said. “I also wanted to create a family business so I can pass it down to my children.”
“Food, sharing with others, and my wife and my children have always been my inspiration and motivation behind my business,” Barragan added.
Tzango offers a variety of authentic dishes from the heart of Mexico and other regions of Latin America, including pipian mole braised chicken tamales, torta Cubana, sizzling carne asada paired with corn or flour tortillas, and more.
Barragan said the restaurant also offers dishes from other cuisines he is fluent in, such as Thai and Lao food.
“Tzango is unique because everything is small-batch made and fresh. We avoid mass producing our food or buying it in jars, like our salsa,” he said. “Our salsas, like our roasted salsa verde and salsa picosa, are made from scratch using real and fresh ingredients, so that every bite has that farm fresh taste.”
“Our flavor profile also makes our dishes truly unique,” Barragan said. “We carefully measure our ingredients and spices so that each dish is consistently delicious every time you return.”
Flavor isn’t the only thing that Barragan takes pride in - he also wants a beautifully presented plate.
“I also am passionate about how the food looks when plating—we don’t send messy plates out,” he said.
Barragan said the restaurant fosters a sense of pride in its shared hometown of Macon and its continued efforts to put back into the economy.
“I feel Tzango’s benefits extend far beyond simply serving Mexican cuisine,” he said. “Because we are locally owned, each dollar earned is not just a transaction, but mutually beneficial as we put the money right back into the local economy. Many of our guests consider Tzango a retreat with a treat as families gather for special occasions, friends reconnect over hearty meals, or even strangers become friends over shared experiences.”
Barragan went on to say he doesn’t just want to run a successful business, but also wants to make a meaningful impact in others’ lives.
“From the moment we opened our doors, we made a conscious decision to prioritize the well-being of the community we call home,” he said. “When you dine at Tzango, you are not just supporting another business; you’re investing in the collective prosperity of our community.”
Barragan said the last seven years serving the community have been extraordinary, and haven’t felt like “work” at all.
“The process of cooking, seeing the final outcome of the dishes, and seeing the satisfied, happy guests - it feels like I’m playing a game when each ticket comes in and I start cooking,” he said. “I love that my work doesn’t feel like work. I love when our guests enjoy their meals and are so nourished afterwards because we cook with real food and real ingredients.”
“My passion in this business definitely lies in sharing my skills with others,” Barragan said.
Barragan said he believes every meal is an opportunity to create cherished memories and forge deeper connections.
“Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a familiar face, we can’t wait to welcome you into our Tzango’s family and share in the delight of authentic Mexican and Latin American cuisine together,” he said.
Restaurant staff are fluent in both Spanish and American Sign Language.
Tzango is located at 336 2nd Street in Macon and can be reached at 478-254-3444.
