Meet Maria Miranda, Owner of Miranda’s Restaurant (mirandaomaha.com).
Tell us about your business: My business is inspired by the love, traditions, and authentic flavors of my home country, El Salvador. Every dish we serve is made with the same warmth and care that I put into cooking for my own family. Food is not just about flavor—it’s about bringing people together, sharing memories, and showing love. That’s what we want to share with our community: authentic Salvadorian flavors made with heart and humility.
Tell us a little about your family. – My family is everything to me and is at the heart of everything I do—they are my biggest support and the reason I am able to do what I love. We come from humble beginnings, but we were raised with strong values. I have six amazing kids and a husband who have been by my side through every step of my journey. When I decided to open Miranda’s in Omaha, they all came together to support me and make this dream a reality. We come from humble beginnings, and I was raised with the values of love, humility, and hard work, which I now pass down to my children. Just like in our home, Miranda’s is built on the same foundation of family, faith, good food, and warm hospitality.
How did you get started in the business? – I’ve always loved cooking—it’s how I show love to my family. Over the years, friends and relatives would tell me, ‘You should open a restaurant!’ because they love the flavors and warmth in my food. Eventually, with the support of my family, we decided to turn that dream into reality. My family and I moved to Evansville, Indiana, in 2009, and together, my sister, brother, and I joined forces to run a restaurant and grocery store. It was a lot of hard work, but it brought us closer as a family and strengthened our love for sharing Salvadorian food with the community. As time went on, my sister branched out and opened Miranda’s Taqueria y Pupuseria in 2021 in Evansville. I would go and help her whenever I could, but in 2022, we moved back to Omaha. That’s when I knew it was time to finally make my own dream a reality. With the help of my family, we opened Miranda’s here in Omaha, bringing the same love, tradition, and authentic Salvadorian flavors to our community.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The biggest challenge I’ve faced professionally has been taking the leap to start my own restaurant. For years, I put my dreams on hold, always putting my family first and helping others along the way. When we moved back to Omaha in 2022, I knew it was finally time, but starting a business is never easy. There were moments of doubt—wondering if everything would work out, worrying about the risks, and facing the challenges of running a restaurant in a new city. But through it all, my family was there to support me, just as we’ve always supported each other. We worked hard, stayed true to our values, and kept pushing forward. Another challenge has been making sure that every dish we serve carries the same love and authenticity that I grew up with. It’s not just about cooking food; it’s about creating an experience that makes people feel at home. Balancing business responsibilities while keeping that personal touch has been tough, but it’s what makes Miranda’s special, and it’s what keeps me motivated every day.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Restaurant phone number 402-502-1360, Address 11036 Elm St, Omaha, NE 68144, website www.mirandaomaha.com, IG & FB: Miranda Omaha.