Auburn’s most infamous waiter kept students on their toes after he left his position at Cancun’s Mexican Grill.
Have no fear, Mateo Velasquez is down the road at El Dorado and he’s ready to serve all the margaritas and queso dip your college budget can buy.
Velasquez knows how to keep his customers entertained by teasing them.
"He always makes fun of me," said Jessie Miller, a senior studying nursing. "I always buy three enchiladas and he never thinks I'll finish but naturally, I always do."
If there is a birthday, celebration or just a normal Monday night, Velasquez will turn it into a night to remember.
"Everyone knows Mateo," said Laura Ellen Higgins, a senior in communication disorders. "He was my waiter for my 21 birthday and it was just a blast. He kept egging on my friends to buy me more drinks and it was hilarious."
Higgins is one of many people Velasquez has waited on to kick-off a celebration.
"It is always someone's 21 birthday," said Velasquez. "Every night I swear, someone's going to have a birthday and they're going to be wild!"
The Auburn community knows Mateo is always ready to get the weekend started (even if it is a Tuesday) with a Mexican Flag Shot, but they do not know the man behind the bar.
“People come up and say, ‘Mateo, Mateo!’ It’s so hard to remember everyone’s name!” said Velasquez.
His name is part of every Auburn student’s vocabulary and he is known as the go-to-guy for weekly Mexican food cravings.
“Cinco de mayo is crazy. Usually everyone is finishing exams and it gets so crazy!” said Velasquez. “One time I convinced someone to buy a whole fried fish. When he finished it, he put the bones in his girlfriend’s purse. It was so funny.”
Velasquez hopes to open his own restaurant one day.
Quick facts about Mateo:
·
His favorite color is orange
·
He has two children
·
His favorite tequila is Don Julio
·
He has lived in Auburn for 12 years
·
He has worked at Cancun’s Mexican Grill, El Patron and El Dorado
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
