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MEXICAN CUISINE LATEST EDITION
TO DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT SCENE

(FLINT, MI FEBRUARY 6, 2009) Soyla Roberts has been cooking since she was a little girl. Her mother, Lydia, was her teacher and inspiration. Now she’s bringing her years of experience and tradition of excellent Mexican Cuisine based on family recipes to a restaurant in the Wade Trim Building in downtown Flint. Read the articles from The Flint Journal and ABC 12.

Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce photo

Tim Herman speaks during the press conference at the opening of Soyla's Mexican Cuisine in downtown Flint on February 9, 2009.

Soyla’s Mexican Cuisine will open to the public on Monday, February 9 at 10:30 a.m.

“Monday is my Mother’s birthday”, said Roberts. She taught me nearly everything I know about Mexican food and I feel it is very appropriate for me to start my new restaurant on this day so I can celebrate her life and all she gave me.” Roberts’ mother passed away in 1982.

“This is the first restaurant to go into the Wade Trim Building, said Ridgway White, Associate Program Officer at the C.S. Mott Foundation. “Soyla has been interested in opening in downtown since 2006 and I’m happy we could bring her into the downtown community.”

The new restaurant will accommodate 50 people and is scheduled to be open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“This is an excellent addition to the lineup of new restaurants in the downtown core,” said Tim Herman CEO of the Genesee Regional Chamber and President of the Uptown Reinvestment Corporation. “Culinary and cultural diversity help to make a community a dynamic and exciting place for residents and visitors. I look forward to tasting the cuisine.”

Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce photo

Soyla Roberts (center with red top) and her family at the press conference at the opening of her new restaurant, Soyla's Mexican Cuisine, in downtown Flint on February 9, 2009.

Roberts was born and raised in Flint where she attended Central High School. She has worked in several restaurants including the Davison Country Club, Kettering University and Southmoor Country Club. “I’ve cooked professionally and for family and friends through the years and my traditional dishes have always been very well accepted,” said Roberts. “Opening my own restaurant has been a long time goal and now I’m realizing that goal.”

The new restaurant interior, which Roberts describes as Mexican urban contemporary, was completely done by Roberts and her husband, David. “He is the one who convinced me to open in downtown Flint,” said Roberts. “With everything that’s going on in downtown I think it is the right move and I am very excited to be a part of the downtown revitalization.”

The restaurant menu will include traditional dishes such as enchiladas, tacos and burritos. Roberts said she will also have more unusual offering such as Texas beef brisket and caritas. She will also serve traditional Mexican pastries. “My specialty, which I learned from my mother, is tamales,” she said. “They take some time to make, but everyone says they are the best.”

Soyla’s will have take out and free delivery for downtown employees and provide free wireless access.

For further information contact:
Stan Blood 810-600-1418
Tracy Brewington 810-238-5555