'It's such an honor to be working with your mother:' The Heart Behind Buenos Aires Café

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A local mother and daughter have spent more than 20 years running one of Austin’s only Argentinian restaurants. Their restaurant, Buenos Aires Café, is a local staple known for its family atmosphere and dishes that make customers feel at home.

Reina Morris moved from Argentina to Austin in 1997, bringing with her a deep love of her homeland’s flavors. After graduating from the Texas Culinary Academy in 2005, she began an internship at the Four Seasons but struggled to find her footing in the restaurant industry.

“I wasn’t good enough,” Morris said. “I didn’t have experience, and I was super slow.” Despite the challenges and a short-lived pastry shop, Morris persevered. In 2008, she spotted a for-rent sign off East Sixth Street and seized the opportunity to open Buenos Aires Café.

Her daughter, Paola Guerrero-Smith, originally pursued a career in architecture before putting it on hold to support the family business. Guerrero-Smith quickly found her passion for the restaurant industry, learning both the business and culinary sides. She is now a certified Argentinian pit master and has even dabbled in the wine industry.

“Working with your mother is such an honor,” Guerrero-Smith said. “It’s a journey of self-discovery, self-love, and family unity. Even in tough times, those challenges become the foundation for a stronger bond,” she said.

The mother-daughter duo has overcome major challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating Texas freeze, relying on their shared dedication to food and family to keep the business thriving. During the freeze, they gave back to the community by providing free meals and creating a welcoming space for other Argentinians in Austin to connect.

This year, Buenos Aires Café was formally recognized by the Texas House of Representatives for more than 20 years of service to the community.

To celebrate the milestone, Guerrero-Smith collaborated with one of her favorite female winemakers in Argentina to create a special Malbec called “Grandma Love.” The wine honors their two decades of hard work and the strong mother-daughter bond behind the café.

“We don’t do things expecting recognition,” Morris said. “We do it with respect, love, and care — like being a mom. You don’t expect praise for that,” she said.

Buenos Aires Café remains a beloved local spot, known not only for its authentic dishes but also for creating a warm, family atmosphere that makes customers feel at home.