Asaditos Zulmyta started with a tent and a grill on Tucson's south side. Now, a year later, the Salvadoran food stand has grown into a food truck, a Central American market, and a gathering place for Tucson's Latin American community.
Owner Ily Plisch and her mother, chef Zulma Maye, will celebrate the milestone with a grand opening event from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, September 12. The celebration also marks the food truck's launch and Central American Independence Day.
"This year it felt right to bring everything together: our first anniversary, the official celebration of our food truck, and our Central American roots," Plisch said.
From a tent to a food truck
Asaditos Zulmyta began serving the public in September 2025. Plisch and Maye started with just a tent and a grill. Word quickly spread among Tucson's Salvadoran and broader Central American communities.
"People kept coming back, and that showed us there was a demand for authentic Salvadoran food," Plisch said.
Working from a tent had limits, especially during Tucson's heat. So, the team set its sights on a food truck. That dream became reality this year, when Maye began cooking inside a full kitchen for the first time.
"Getting there was definitely not easy, which makes finally seeing my mom cooking inside our own food truck even more meaningful," Plisch said.
The food truck lets the business prepare food more consistently and serve more customers. It also opens the door to new dishes.
"We offer and rotate different dishes, including yuca con chicharrón, pan con pollo, Salvadoran tamales, empanadas, Salvadoran breakfast dishes, Salvadoran chorizos, Guatemalan longaniza, and other specials," Plisch said.
Even so, the business isn't leaving its roots behind. Pupusas remain central to the menu.
A market built by customers
Alongside the food truck, Asaditos Zulmyta also runs the Centroamérica Mini Mercado. The market grew out of customer requests, Plisch said.
"People would come for pupusas and ask us, 'Can you find this fruit?' 'Can you bring this drink?' or 'Do you know where I can get this product?'" she said.
Today, the market carries tropical fruits, drinks, snacks, and pantry staples from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. It also stocks products popular with customers from other Latin American countries.
Consequently, some customers now do part of their weekly shopping there.
"Every week, people wait for our social media posts to see which fruits and products have arrived," Plisch said.
The market also added Envía MGS, a service that lets customers send boxes and gifts to family members abroad.
"For me, that is another extension of what we're trying to create: a connection between families here and the countries and people they love," Plisch said.
Deep roots in El Salvador
For Plisch and Maye, food has always been a family story. Maye helped found the Feria Gastronómica in Juayúa, El Salvador, a town known nationally for its food traditions.
"So when we talk about authentic Salvadoran food, it is very personal to us," Plisch said. "These aren't foods or traditions we discovered when we opened a business. They are part of how we grew up."
The business name itself comes from a childhood nickname. Because Plisch is Maye's daughter, friends and family called her "La Zulmyta" growing up.
"Zulmyta is me," Plisch said. "So, the name connects both of us: my mom, Zulma, and me, Ily, which makes it even more meaningful."
Additionally, Maye remains hands-on in the kitchen today, training employees and checking flavors personally.
"For us, being authentic isn't a marketing phrase," Plisch said. "It's the whole reason Asaditos exists."
Emotional connections with customers
Plisch said the community response has surprised her most over the past year. Customers now travel from across Tucson, and many come from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.
One recent moment stuck with her. A customer spotted a fruit in the Mini Mercado he hadn't seen in about 50 years.
"He told us he hadn't had that fruit in about 50 years," Plisch said. "Seeing how one simple fruit could bring back such a powerful memory was very emotional for us."
Moments like that remind Plisch the business offers more than groceries or meals.
"Sometimes we're helping someone reconnect with a part of their childhood, their family, and their home," she said.
What to expect at the grand opening
The September 12 celebration will take place at the business's current location, 4004 N. Stone Ave. Guests can expect Salvadoran food, the new food truck, the Mini Mercado, live music from DJ Luces, special offers, and raffles.
"Most importantly, we want it to feel like a big family celebration," Plisch said. "You don't have to be Salvadoran or Central American to celebrate with us. Tucson is invited."
Looking ahead, Plisch wants to strengthen what the business has already built before expanding further.
"I would love for Asaditos to become a place people immediately think of when they want authentic Salvadoran food, Central American products, or simply something that reminds them of home," she said.
For now, though, Plisch said she's focused on gratitude.
"We are very grateful to Tucson for supporting a small family business like ours and allowing us to grow into something much bigger than what we started with," she said.
Event details:
What: Asaditos Zulmyta first anniversary, food truck grand opening, and Central American Independence Day celebration
When: 7 p.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, September 12
Where: 4004 N. Stone Ave., Tucson
