'You all have answered a prayer': Chef after earning top performer sticker

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In this week’s Food 4 Thought, the Food Patrol is spotlighting a new business that passed the health department report, making it a top performer.

It's puro que rico time in this week’s Food 4 Thought!

The Food Patrol is surprising the two-person team of Mestiza Sweets and Deli, located at 1101 West Sam Houston Ave in Pharr.

While walking into the restaurant, the Food Patrol noticed the following:

1. A great smell
2. The aesthetic is clean and Spanish classic-inspired
3. It is empty without clients

Mestiza is asking happy customers to spread the word, as they do not do promotions, but the Food Patrol is here to help. Let’s introduce you to Chef Maria Silva Vasquez’s comfort food kitchen.

Chef Maria brings decades of training, travel, and taste-testing to the Valley. She could not wait to introduce her favorite dishes to the Food Patrol.

"Check out the spread of fresh-baked brioche bread, cheesy meaty shepherd’s pie, chicken soup, and chicken stew," Chef Maria said

ValleyCentral's intern, Isis Reyes, is this week’s official Top Performer taste-tester.

“Recommend 10 out of 10!” Reyes said.

The food tastes great, and the kitchen earned a 100 in its health inspection report.

(Mestiza's Health Inspection Report, Courtesy of City of Pharr)

"This is a dream of hers, and I think it’s a beautiful dream," Diana Gatica said. "You have answered a prayer.”

Maria said cooking is her life and love.

They both explained how it has been challenging to get customers.

“I would hate for it to have to close down. It's just one of those good things that pops up and they don't make it, and it's a shame because the few people that loved it aren't going to have it anymore," Gatica said.

The sticker surprise is the help they have been needing, and the sticker could not have come at a more critical time.

“It’s like a dream come true. Muchas gracias, Channel 4," Chef Maria said.

And that’s Food 4 Thought!

The Food Patrol has surprised various restaurants that could use your support. If you see the sticker, take a picture or a video!

Send it over to me at investigates at ValleyCentral.com.

You can check out photos of Mestias and Chef Maria’s delicious food as well on ValleyCentral.com.