Dr. Marcos Osuna Tirado - El Quelite’s Unofficial Embassador

By Lisa Lankins

Marcos has vision. He is one of those rare people that can really make things happen, and does. He is the owner of Meson de Los Laureanos Restaurant in El Quelite, where his many talents (in healthcare, ecology, tourism, gastronomy, and architecture just for a start) are all put to use. His family came to El Quelite in 1740. It was and still is an agricultural community. El Quelite actually means “vegetables” in the Nahuatl language. He was born Dec 31, 1956 in the little tranquil pueblo where you could hear voices from houses on the other side of town because it was so quiet. Marcos was generally worried as a child about being better. He left for Guadalajara to study Psychology, Medicine, and Theatre. When he returned to El Quelite, he opened a pharmacy which he had for twenty years, never forgetting that his pueblo needed real progress. He worked for public health issues, taught about contagious diseases, cleanliness of the town and the food. He worried about the local flora and fauna and how to preserve it. He was working with the schools too, to educate children about these issues. It occurred to him that if he could bring tourism to El Quelite, he could really help the people and the pueblo. So he opened the restaurant. Meson de los Laureanos has been open for 8 years. Marcos has created a virtual oasis behind the walls of what was once his family home. He uses the garden tables to envelope the customers in the rich culture and history of his homeland. Even the wild birds, iguanas, and pet parrot Lola have joined the team. His restaurant is truly an experience of a lifetime. All of your senses are awakened as you dine on authentic ranch style food (no seafood) among the singing birds and colorful gardens. They are opened 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. The restaurant has been visited by important people in government, tourism, and entertainment. When Marcos is there he will be found going from table to table talking to his customers in Spanish or in

English to be sure they are enjoying themselves. Marcos has notebooks recording the history of the village and the language no longer used. While we enjoyed our breakfasts including fresh squeezed orange juice and homemade cheeses, chips, salsas, and coffee, Chilaquiles and Huevos Rancheros, he taught us a few of the forgotten words: popozawi = mango, latochi = rabbit, albeando = clean house, petochi = devil, jonuco = a small humble house, cucuyachi = beetle. He seems equally interested in preserving the past as he is in progressing in the future. He says he is satisfied from what he has learned, but is going for more. He and his staff are always knocking on doors to find support from federal, state, and municipal governments. His efforts have helped plant gardens and paint homes of those unable to do so. While in El Quelite, walk the cobblestone streets, visit the tortilla maker just across from the beautiful little church. To get to the brick oven panadería or bakery with their delicious cinnamon rolls and baked goods, or to the finca de gallos or rooster farm, ask. The townspeople are so friendly. Visit the small gift stores sprinkled throughout town. Buy your fresh produce at the bright green frutería. There is a viewpoint where you can see almost the entire pueblo, the river (sometimes with wild horses), the surrounding milpas (fields), and the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains, follow the viewpoint signs up the hill. You cannot park near the viewpoint, it is better to walk. On Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. there will be a free show including the ancient game of Ulama, pre-hispanic dancers, and Mexican extravaganza. It is just down the street from the restaurant, so arrive early for breakfast then go to the show.
To get to El Quelite, follow the free road north towards Culiacán to Kilometer post 33 and hang a right. It is just a few kilometers further, about a 35 minute ride from Mazatlán. You will soon pass through the archway welcoming you to El Quelite.

Email Us Your Comments or Suggestions
Copyright 1999
Mazatlan's Pacific Pearl
All Rights Reserved