Q&A With Chef Johnny Hernandez of El Machito
When eating in San Antonio dozens of restaurants are certain to pull you in. It’s a city that has stayed on top of both innovate cuisine while still keeping culinary traditions untouched. El Machito, a Johnny Hernandez concept, is a perfect example. We chat with the chef himself who grew up in the industry and is now spreading much talked flavors around the city.
Q: Tell us about your background and how you became a chef.
My parents owned a small Mexican restaurant and catering company. I was very young when I realized this was my calling a great education was essential so I attended the Culinary Institute of America, I am grateful to do what I love every day.
Q: Any funny kitchen mishaps to share?
Was cooking Mexican Barbacocoa in the ground for a group of 20 food journalists, I need to remember to turn the sprinklers off next time. I was soaked!
Q: What is important to you when opening a new concept? How is El Machito different from other concepts?
I challenge myself to create concepts that San Antonio or the country have never seen, my inspiration continues to be Interior Mexico. Machicto is an authentic representation of the most traditional Mexican cooking techniques over a Live Fire. Cooking over wood has been one of our greatest challenges but there is no substitution for the wonderful flavor and aroma it brings.
Q: What are you most proud of on the menu? What can you find on here that you can’t find anywhere else?
Wow, how does a parent chose its favorite child? It would have to be our Cecina Asada, I have never seen it in the American soil…its thinly slices, cured with salt and cooked over Mesquite. It melts in you mouth. I first had Cecina in a small Mercado in the town of Yecapixtla Morelos Mx.
Q: Favorite cooking tool?
I am getting intimate with my Stone Grinder for the Cacao I have been importing from Mexico and Guatemala
Q: What is something readers would be surprised to learn about you?
I am establishing a partnership with Artesans from Mexico and will be opening a retail location in the future, people are also surprised to find out im from San Antonio everyone thinks im from Mexico…I only wish I was.
Q: What do you suggest travelers do while visiting? Besides of course visiting one of your restaurants 🙂
I would love visitors to experience our SouthTown and the Mission Reach of our San Antonio River. The Mission Reach is a beautiful Linear park that extends over 10miles, visitors can jump on use our Bike Share Program and see a piece of our history and our beautiful Spanish Missions…
