Cabrera’s Mexican restaurant serves from a food truck after a tornado destroys a building

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – You’ve probably heard and seen story after story about the impact of devastating tornadoes on the community.

Seven weeks later, debris still covers the parking lot of Cabrera’s Mexican restaurant on Russellville Road. They are just one of many significantly affected by the storms, but are now working to rebuild while continuing to serve their customers.

For the past two weeks, Cabrera’s has offered most items on the menu through its food truck set up in the parking lot.

“Local businesses, in my view, will have a harder time rebuilding than, say, a business or a chain,” said client Jacob Allen. “They don’t have the support of other stores, they just have themselves and at the same time they still have a lot of families behind it and so, you know, you’re stuck between, let you what you have- build yourself up and go get another job or are you trying to rebuild and hold on for the long haul?”

Cabrera’s has been open for over 10 years. It’s the only family-run Mexican restaurant in Bowling Green.

“I think the difference is you’re helping them pay someone’s family bills,” Allen said. “You know, when you buy local, what matters most is that you really have an impact on it.”

The owner of Cabrera says he plans to buy the property from the owner of the land, who does not want to rebuild according to the owner of the restaurant, demonstrate the rest of the building and then rebuild.

They are located at 2225 Russellville Road. Their food truck is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

The renovation will take time, but the owners say they are happy to be under one roof to serve their customers.

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