According to the blog from Experience Grand Rapids, a few years back, a place by the name of Tacos El Ganadero shut down, leaving its employees jobless. That didn't last long, however, since one of those employees decided to step up. Rather than sink with the ship, Mercedes Lopez-Duran bought the restaurant and saved her coworkers' jobs in the process. She re-named it El Granjero, or "the farmer" in Spanish, as a reflection of the new menu's farm-fresh ingredients.

El Granjero has been a hit in Grand Rapids since it opened. Lopez-Duran continues to run the show, and her selection of authentic Mexican food has developed a throng of loyal followers. The menu features a la carte specialty gorditas, deep-fried tacos, and wet burritos, which are smothered with salsa and melted white cheese. There are also Mexican specialties such as grilled cactus and menudo, plus Mexican hot chocolate, the best thing for a cold day besides a pair of socks warmed in the oven.