Southeast Texas mourns loss of beloved Tacos La Bamba owner and community leader Carlos Zuñiga Castillo

Carlos Zuñiga Castillo, beloved owner of Tacos La Bamba, leaves a profound legacy in Southeast Texas, uniting the Hispanic community and supporting local arts.

BEAUMONT, Texas — Southeast Texas is mourning the loss of Tacos La Bamba owner and community leader Carlos Zuñiga Castillo, a man friends, students and local leaders say brought people together far beyond the walls of his restaurant.

Zuñiga Castillo died suddenly Thursday, leaving behind a lasting impact on the Hispanic community and the broader Southeast Texas area. Many say he created more than a place to eat — he created a home away from home.

“No lo podía creer de hecho todavía no lo puedo creer,” said Marvelia Maldonado, owner of Marvelia’s, expressing shock over his death.

Others shared similar sentiments.

“I was really shocked. I’m still very shocked,” said Maurice Abelman, graphic design coordinator at Lamar State College Port Arthur.

Zuñiga Castillo opened Tacos La Bamba in the late 1990s, creating a gathering place for Beaumont’s Hispanic community. Beaumont Mayor Roy West said his influence extended far beyond business.

“Always very involved in the community, always willing to give back, always willing to support and, you know, and I think that’s one reason the grief strikes so hard,” West said.

Community members say Zuñiga Castillo was also a strong supporter of Hispanic students.

“We not only lost one of our biggest supporters over here, we lost a dear friend of ours. We lost an advocate,” said Lamar University student Kassandra Castillo.

His support extended into the arts, allowing local artists to use his space to celebrate culture and creativity.

“His support for the arts in the area — the arts in the area, it’s a small circle, and he’s one of those businesses that allowed us to have a voice like within his space, in particular the walls that we did for the mural fest,” Abelman said.

Abelman said Zuñiga Castillo’s willingness to go beyond business helped bring people together in meaningful ways.

“A lot of businesses, they’re not able to connect with their people. They sell their products. But you know, he goes to, he went the extra mile to provide a space, not only for people to eat, but people to celebrate their culture,” he said.

Maldonado said Zuñiga Castillo’s gatherings helped unite people across the region.

“He’s going to be so missed in the community in the way that who is going to bringing together those from a far to those parties he would host that were truly beautiful and impactful for the whole community,” she said.

Zuñiga Castillo leaves behind a community that says his contributions to Hispanic culture in Beaumont will not be forgotten.

The family has not yet announced funeral arrangements.