Juan Hernández González
Juan Hernández González was the founder of Taquería El Califa de León in Mexico City, the taco stand that in 2024 became the first to receive a Michelin star.
Career
Hernández González opened El Califa de León in 1968 on Avenida Ribera de San Cosme, near the San Rafael and Santa María la Ribera neighborhoods of Mexico City. He named the stand after the bullfighter Rodolfo Gaona, known as the Califa de León, and the house steak taco became known as the gaonera.
The taquería stayed in his family after his time. In 2024, some 56 years after its founding, the first Michelin Guide Mexico awarded it one star, which it held through 2025 before losing it in the 2026 edition.
Reviews
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See also
References
- "The Michelin Guide Brought Scrutiny, Crowds, and Stress to Mexico City. Does Texas Want That?". Texas Monthly. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
- "Taquería El Califa de León". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2026-10-10.