Welcome to Midwest Mexican
Where’s Serena — or — On the Road to What’s Next
If you’ve crossed paths with my work — whether through Eater, Tostada Magazine, or my freelance projects — you know I love telling stories about the people who bring food, culture, and community to life. This summer, though? You might’ve noticed me pulling a Houdini act 👻 — disappearing, reappearing, disappearing again — without much of a heads-up.
Here’s the short version: This spring, I lost a job that had been my steady anchor. Cue the existential rabbit hole. Who am I if I’m not a journalist? Have I devoted my life to a field I love… that might not love me back? What’s next? 😳 It was a shake-up that forced me to wrestle with big questions about how I want to show up in the world, what kind of work lights me up, and the community I want to build around it.
Throughout my career, I’ve been celebrated for bringing cultural specificity into my reporting — and then told not to “focus too much on one group.” I’ve had my most impactful work called “passionate” instead of strategic, as if purpose and rigor can’t exist in the same sentence.
That push-pull has made one thing clear: I need spaces that are fully mine. Places where I can write without pitching, gatekeeping, or wondering if my voice “fits” the assignment. I’ve done it before — with Tostada Magazine, and later on a national stage at Eater — using culturally resonant food storytelling as a way to empower, connect, and create joy.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much of my work is inseparable from who I am: a Mexican American who grew up in Southern California, built a life in the Midwest, and forged a path in journalism when there wasn’t a clear one to follow. This summer, that reflection has spilled into my free time, where I’ve been playing around on TikTok — sharing little snapshots of the beauty of Mexican culture in the Midwest. It’s been a surprising source of healing and inspiration, and it’s opened up new possibilities for what my storytelling could be.
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Turns out, y’all still appreciate what I have to share.
That’s why I’m starting Midwest Mexican — a recurring newsletter featuring personal essays and stories about food and culture, and the messy, beautiful space where they meet. Not because every post will be about Mexican food, but because everything I write will have my flavor in it. My history. My voice. Unfiltered. Here’s what you can expect:
Restaurant reviews and reflections on the dining scene
Behind-the-scenes peeks at my passion projects
The occasional sponsored feature with brands or restaurants I believe in (always clearly labeled)
This newsletter is part experiment, part homecoming — and part “F around and find out.” It’s me making space to tell the stories I care about, even when the industry feels uncertain and the future’s still cooking.
If you’ve been following me for years, or you just stumbled in now, welcome.
Let’s dig in.
Abrazos,
Serena
Midwest Mexican