Nixta is renowned locally not only for its delicious food and welcoming atmosphere but also for the role it plays in the community. The large outdoor space is designed to be used as a venue for pop-ups and performances by members of staff or the public. Moreover, during the pandemic it became the location for Austin’s first Free Fridge Project, where free food was provided for those facing food insecurity. The community aspect has even been highlighted in a TV docuseries on PBS called Taco Mafia, which focuses on the people behind Nixta and fellow Austin taquerias Cuantos Tacos and Discada, and the support they give each other and the local community. Nixta has fans beyond the local area, including Hollywood star Anne Hathaway, who fell in love with the place on a post-movie-premiere visit and featured it on her Instagram feed. Rico also claims to have cooked for President Obama, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé.
Rico was born to Mexican parents in the city of Visalia in California’s Central Valley. While growing up, he enjoyed regular trips to Mexico, where he was exposed to the country’s culinary heritage. Following a sporting injury at 17, he worked at a local steakhouse where the chef, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York City, suggested that Rico enroll there. He followed the suggestion and crossed the country to begin his training as a chef. He did his externship at Los Angeles restaurant Craft, where he then landed a permanent job. This was followed by two experiences with award-winning chefs Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook, first as part of the opening team of their seafood restaurant Son of a Gun, and then alongside chef Ludo Lefebvre helping them open French bistronomy concept Trois Mec. A stint at hip daytime café Sqirl rounded off his six-year period in LA. At this point, he decided to set off on a journey around Mexico, which included a stage at Enrique Olvera’s Pujol in Mexico City. Following this experience, Rico moved to Austin, where he met Sara Mardanbigi, the woman who would become his partner in life and work. They went on to open Nixta Taqueria together in 2019.
In 2020, the year after it opened, Nixta was recognized by Food & Wine Magazine as one of the Top 10 Best New Restaurants in America. Further recognition came in 2022 in the form of a James Beard Award for Emerging Chef for Rico and a place on the TIME100 Next list, which showcases emerging stars around the world in a variety of industries. In 2023, Food & Wine awarded Rico a Best New Chef award, while StarChefs gave him a Rising Star Award.
