A dedicated man in National City achieved his dream of owning a taquero food truck, all thanks to a TikTok sensation who catapulted his taco stand to stardom.
San Diego boasts a plethora of taco joints, but one, in particular, stood out—Blue Fire Bliss, owned by Teodoro Jimenez. Its rise to fame came courtesy of social media influencer Jesus Morales, who featured the establishment on TikTok.
In a viral TikTok video, Morales made an astonishing offer: he pledged to cover the cost of all the tacos Jimenez could sell in an hour, amounting to approximately $600. But what left Jimenez astounded was the unexpected twist—the TikToker handed him a generous $1,000 cash tip. Overwhelmed with emotion, Jimenez tearfully expressed his dream of acquiring a food truck, and he believed this money could make it a reality.
The TikTok video rapidly gained millions of views, paving the way for Jimenez’s unexpected success. It triggered a massive turnout at Blue Fire Bliss, with hordes of people flocking to savor Jimenez’s delectable tacos and other Mexican delicacies.
Chula Vista resident Eddie Mendoza, who had learned about the taco stand through TikTok, attested, “It definitely lives up to the hype.” He marveled at the diverse menu, ranging from hot dogs, hamburgers, tacos, and quesadillas to carne asada fries, all served on the streets—an aspect that added to its appeal.
This sudden influx of customers catapulted Jimenez’s sales fourfold overnight. He expressed profound gratitude to Morales for not only attracting more patrons but also helping him save towards his dream food truck.
Morales recognized that food trucks come with a hefty price tag, often reaching $100,000. To assist Jimenez in operating his business more efficiently and achieving his dream, Morales initiated a GoFundMe campaign. Within a couple of months, he managed to raise nearly $50,000, enabling Jimenez to finally acquire his taquero food truck.
Jimenez, overwhelmed with gratitude, remarked, “The truth is that I did not think it would reach this point, but it gives me great joy because seeing Teodoro, his family, and the business moving forward is a blessing, and I hope it continues like this.”
Morales, known as a social media influencer dedicated to assisting street food vendors, habitually bestows sizable cash tips upon them and helps catapult their businesses into the viral spotlight. In his interviews, he has revealed a personal connection to these vendors, many of whom are immigrants, as he himself is the child of Mexican immigrants.
Jimenez expressed heartfelt thanks to all those who supported his business and helped him realize his dreams, saying, “Thank you for blessing me. I feel very blessed, and I also want to bless you.”
Jimenez, a hardworking and patient entrepreneur, has undoubtedly earned the blessings he’s received. In addition to running his taco stand, he also worked as a cook at The Kabob Shop in Little Italy. With the help of his family, they managed to operate Blue Fire Bliss alongside his other job. His son, daughter, and a family friend all pitched in with various responsibilities while Jimenez cooked up their delectable offerings.
Now, armed with a taquero food truck, Jimenez and his family are even more motivated to serve up outstanding Mexican cuisine, including tacos, burritos, carne asada fries, horchata, quesadillas, and more. His son, Josh Jimenez, encouraged local communities to support street vendors, emphasizing the immense joy it brings vendors to serve customers and the potential for future interactions.