19-year-old posted a late-night 30-second TikTok hours before losing his restaurant — he didn’t expect what happened next
The internet has become a place where even a single video can transform someone’s fortunes, sometimes even saving a business. A 19-year-old, Alexander Quinones (@detroitlovestacos2), had poured his hard work and savings into starting a taco place. Unfortunately, the place wasn't doing well, and the teen had no choice but to shut down soon. In despair, he shared a video on March 28, 2026, pleading for help. He explained that after graduating in 2025, he had opened the restaurant in Michigan and encouraged people who hadn’t visited yet to give it a try. ABC 12 News reported on April 13, 2026, that the video took the restaurant from its breaking point to an unimaginable journey.
@detroitlovestacos2 19 years old with a dream . 🌮✨ We are officially just getting started at 25750 Ecorse Rd! Come help a young entrepreneur build something special in Taylor. Every tag and visit counts! #fyp #local #taylormichigan #viral #youngentrepreneur ♬ sonido original - Droxxen
Quinones mentioned that he used $5,000 from the savings of the past few years, along with his graduation money, and that opening a restaurant had always been a dream of his. He thanked customers who had already visited and urged others to “check out,” saying their support meant more than they could imagine. The video cut off with a shot of his restaurant, “Detroit Loves Tacos 2,” which appeared to be closed. The next morning, his 30-second video had gone viral on social media. People drove from different parts of the city and the local area to pay a visit and get some tacos. The restaurant, once on the brink of closure, started selling out almost every night.
“It was like a blessing,” said Julie Stevens, the 19-year-old’s mother. Quinones opened the restaurant in November last year, investing $5,000 from his savings and his graduation money, while his mother also contributed some to fulfill her son's dream. However, the restaurant wasn’t generating much profit, as the income only covered daily expenses and one employee’s wages. In late March, he had to face reality as things reached a breaking point. His mother spoke about the difficult discussion they had about closing the restaurant if the situation continued with minimal earnings.
“I felt like I was failing in life a little bit,” said Quinones, who was disheartened by the fact that he had put all his money and time into it. This was the moment he decided to make that 30-second clip with a heartfelt plea to viewers on the internet. His voice and facial expressions reflected his commitment, innocence, as well as his fear about facing the closure of what was his dream. Internet users definitely took note of that, as now his restaurant is attracting Mexican food lovers not just from Michigan, where it’s situated, but also from Minnesota, Ohio, and Canada. "I'm so grateful, I've almost sold out, almost completely every day out of the week,” said the Taylor high-school graduate whose focus is now to have enough inventory to feed everybody.
The Michigan youth discovered his passion for the restaurant business at just 12 years old, while overseeing "Detroit Loves Tacos," a catering business started by his mother. Now, Stevens also helps in the kitchen at the Taylor location due to the overwhelming customer response. Meanwhile, Alexander Quinones now plans to expand the business with more of his outlets and food trucks. His story is a testament that persistence pays off, and he hopes others find inspiration in it. "He is the first one in, the last one to leave,” Stevens described his dedication.
For more videos and updates, you can follow @detroitlovestacos2 on TikTok.