Rodolfo “Rudy” Lopez named his Mexican restaurant El Caminante, which means “the traveler” in Spanish. It symbolized the immigrant’s journey that brought him to Maysville, where his restaurant has become a popular community institution.
Rudy immigrated to Chicago from Mexico in 1993 and made his way through Virginia and various cities in northern Kentucky, then to Morehead, Flemingsburg and finally to Maysville. He and his family now have El Caminante locations in Flemingsburg and Maysville, and he plans to open one in Brooksville.
“When you see you can’t go any further, tell yourself, I will go further, and ask God for help to give you the strength to keep pushing forward.” Rudy said in Spanish.
After years of hardship, Rudy now finds himself in a position to help others. El Caminante provides free meals to first responders and people in need, and has donated daily profits on occasion for community fundraising drives, such as those to help people with medical bills. The restaurant also sponsors local sports teams.
“They are very empathetic and kind,” said Mike Williams, a Kentucky State Police dispatcher who is a regular customer. “They are always positive.”
Jerry Foister said Rudy and his workers supported him emotionally after his wife’s death. “They would come and sit with me while I ate,” he said, choking up with emotion. “It just showed me what kind of people they are.”
Rudy said his love for the community is often reflected back on him “when I see people out in town and they say hi and ask me and my family is doing.”
