Owner of the popular churro stand, Churros El Rey, described the experiences of the street vendor community
By LAILA AZHAR — features@theaggie.org
Gustavo Landeros Mireles has what some may consider to be the ideal job: He gets to taste churros several times a day. Mireles runs “Churros El Rey,” a stand in Downtown Davis that sells churros, elotes (Mexican street corn) and horchata.
Making the perfect churro is a careful science. As the outside temperature affects the flame used to cook the churros, Mireles must adjust the heat throughout the day, periodically checking the churros to ensure they taste perfectly.
Mireles has always been interested in starting his own business, and when he graduated from UC Davis in 2022, he began to notice the popularity of food trucks.
“A lot of food businesses were popping up during that time, and it caught my attention,” Mireles said. “We had to do a lot of research and development. We tried different things with the churros until we got it right.”
Mireles said his favorite part about working in Davis is the diversity of the town. While he sells Mexican food, his stand appeals to people from a wide range of backgrounds.
“I feel it’s amazing that I show a little part of my country, Mexico, to people in Davis,” Mireles said. “Everybody loves churros, and I think that’s the most amazing thing — the diversity of people you meet.”
Churros El Rey is a fixture in the Davis community, and UC Davis students cite the stand as a great spot to grab dessert. Danielle Rosario, a third-year political science major, said it’s perfect for those who want to grab a quick snack in Downtown Davis.
“The prices are really affordable and the location, right in downtown, is really convenient,” Rosario said. “I’ve definitely visited [the stand] after a long day of studying or a day in downtown with friends, and it’s always the perfect treat.”
Ella Nguyen, a second-year molecular and medical microbiology major, agreed, emphasizing the high quality of the food.
“They’re by far the best churros I’ve had,” Nguyen said. “The caramel churros are probably my favorite flavor. I definitely recommend them to anyone who hasn’t tried them.”
However, becoming a street vendor was not as legal an option until 2018, when California passed the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act to decriminalize street vendoring. While there are certain restrictions that can be imposed, such as permit programs or health regulations, vendors cannot face criminal charges.
While Churros El Rey operations had previously ceased for a few months, the stand is currently up and running, and Mireles is in the process of obtaining the permits he needs to remain open permanently.
Despite the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, street food vendors often face harassment from law enforcement, according to Mireles. Though Mireles knew his rights as a street vendor, he discussed a threatened arrest by an officer a few months prior with an accusation of trespassing.
“The food vendor industry is dominated by Hispanic people,” Mireles said. “Most of them,
they’re undocumented, most of them don’t speak English. So the police take advantage of them because they don’t know how to defend themselves.”
As Mireles looks to the future, he is committed to empowering the street vendor community. He is currently studying for the law school admissions test and hopes to attend law school, where he plans to protect those whose food, culture and labor have contributed immensely to the vibrancy of California’s streets.
“Just imagine how terrifying it could be for undocumented people to be harassed,” Mireles said. “That motivated me to go to law school and fight for everybody, because we have to fight for a better world.”
Churros El Rey is located at 228 E Street and is open Friday to Sunday from 7 to 11 p.m. Students who are interested in staying up to date with the stand can follow their Instagram page, @_churros_el_rey.
Written by: Laila Azhar — features@theaggie.org
