PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Hundreds of taco lovers got a free meal Thursday thanks to a popular social media influencer.
Juan Gonzalez, known online as That Was Epic, surprised Taqueria Chicali Mexican Grill, on Indian School Road near 78th Avenue, with a $10,000 food tab.
He said he asked his fans to nominate Valley restaurants that need a little extra support, and Taqueria Chicali, a family-owned restaurant, rose to the top.
“The whole family works in there. The father’s the owner. He works with his wife and his kids,” Gonzalez said.
Once he posted the winner on his Facebook page Thursday morning, hundreds of people braved the hot weather and lined up at the Mexican restaurant.
“I found out my siblings have a group chat, so they screenshot it and then they send it to us. But on Facebook,” said one fan.
Gonzalez also showed up at the restaurant and took pictures with fans.
Gonzalez said this kind of giveback is just part of the job and it’s a job he loves.
“It helps me sleep at night. We’re successful now. We have money income ourselves and we like to give it back,” he said.
He said doing surprises like this makes him feel connected to the community, like they’re all working together to pull off something special.
“It makes me feel amazing,” Gonzalez said.
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