After 24 years of business, Tio Chilo’s has become more than just a restaurant to the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District. It fosters an environment of culture and community, it offers a family to those who may not have one.

“I feel everyone that walks in through our door, we treat ‘em like family,” Liz said. “It doesn't matter your status, where you work, the color you are. Everyone walks in, and always feels welcome.”

With Maria’s godfather owning a shop down the street, many people within the district are familiar with the Vazquez family. In a community navigating change and uncertainty, restaurants like Tio Chilo’s help keep the culture alive.

Caption: Maria Vazquez opens her restaurant on Tuesday, June 2 2026, at Tio Chilo’s in San Francisco, California. Maria and her husband Isidro Vazquez opened the restaurant in 2002 after immigrating to the United States from Mexico. Since then, their daughter Elizabeth, ‘Liz,’ Vazquez-Isais, has helped take over the restaurant as her parents grow older.

From left, Maria Vazquez, Ana Navarro, Maria Rodriguez and Maria Teresa Martinez pray before eating breakfast on Tuesday, June 2, at Eterna Primarera Bakery in San Francisco, California. The group gets breakfast and coffee together every morning after going to church, before work.

From left, Salvador Vazquez hugs his god daughter, Maria Vazquez, on Tuesday, June 2, at Belmar La Gallinita Meat Market in San Francisco, California. “We were colonists together,” Salvador said. To Maria and Salvador, their jobs mean everything to them. Although Salvador is getting older, his wife always said, ‘he’s going to die in this restaurant.’”

“One of the reasons that I escaped [Mexico] was that I loved the [United States] government and the check and balances,” Salvador said. “Three different branches of government that mingle together, but everyone has the same power and with the same thing. Nowadays, he (the President) has disrespect for everybody. A bunch of countries, and especially now, are against people that come here.”

Liz sets a sign outside of her family’s restaurant on Tuesday, June 2, at Tio Chilo’s in San Francisco, California. A sign posted on the window reads “Report ICE and protect your community.”

With recent political changes, Liz has noticed a feeling of unrest amongst her community. She recounted when a customer came into the restaurant and started to cry, because she didn’t feel safe. The customer had explained that she didn’t feel safe to leave her house because there were rumors of ICE being in the neighborhood.

“I went inside, and I started crying,” Liz said. “I just felt so bad, I was like, how do I make her feel safe?”

Liz fills out a ballot during her down time in the restaurant on Tuesday, June 2, at Tio Chilo’s in San Francisco, California.

"You shouldn't have to feel scared. That's the worst part, because it's, you go to work, you pay your taxes,” Liz said. “Yeah, there's people that do sh*t that they shouldn't be doing. But there's also citizens that are doing sh*t they shouldn't be doing too. And everyone says, oh it’s the Mexicans, it's the Mexican people. It's not just Mexican people. That's just ignorant for people to say that, because it's not just Mexican people who are immigrants.”

A diptyque, Left frame: Salvador and his son, Cesar Vazquez, stand back to back while working in their family’s restaurant, La Gallintina.

“I feel like if I'm messed with by ICE, I might die,” Cesar said. I mean, they're so quick to... You shouldn't be stupid. We’re scared of being killed by a federal agent.”

A diptyque, right: Liz and Maria Vazquez stand back to back while working in their family's restaurant, Tio Chilo’s.

“My parents worked really hard to get the things that they have, to open this restaurant. During COVID, I was super stressed,” Liz said. “COVID should be the worst thing we go through, but... No. With everything going on right now, I feel like the world is upside down,” Liz said. “But, you get to play a little piece of keeping your community together. At least I try. You know?”

From top, Tio Scott, a long time customer of the restaurant, plays a card game with Liz’s son, Santino Isais on Sunday, May 31, at Tio Chilo’s in San Francisco.

“I mean, obviously I love this family,” Tio said. “I think it's very, very important to have a powerful presence within the community.”

Liz purchases bread from Ernesto Herrera on Tuesday, June 2, at Panaderia La Mexicana in San Francisco, California. Ernesto works at a local bakery down the street from Tio Chilos that the Vazquez family frequents.

Maria Vazquez hands a piece of bread to Susan Olivares on Tuesday, June 2, at Ana’s Dreams Hair Salon in San Francisco, California. Susan works at a salon right next door to Tio Chilo’s, and the two women have gotten to know each other over the years.

Maria Vazquez fills small salsa cups on Tuesday, June 2, at Tio Chilo’s in San Francisco, California. A photo of Maria and Isidro Vazquez from when the two were younger hangs on the wall behind her.

“I'm not going anywhere, whether you like it or not, I'm here to stay,” Liz said. “This is my neighborhood. I'm not gonna go anywhere, As long as I can stay, I'm gonna stay.”