On this episode of The Sauce podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with brothers Jeff and Alex Henry — the owners of El Molino del Sureste and Taqueria del Sureste and our May issue cover stars — to talk about their journey from growing up between Missouri and Mexico to building one of St. Louis’ most exciting and celebrated Mexican restaurant concepts.
The brothers share how their upbringing in Mérida, Yucatán shaped their connection to food, family, and hospitality, and how summers spent cooking with their grandparents inspired Alex’s path into the culinary world. They dive into the evolution from opening inside City Foundry STL to launching their standalone South City restaurant, where they’ve been able to fully showcase the depth and creativity of Yucatán-inspired cuisine. They also break down some of their standout dishes — from handmade masa creations and smoked sweet potatoes to traditional candied squash desserts — while explaining the techniques, ingredients, and philosophy behind their fully scratch-made kitchen.
The conversation touches on seasonal menus, farm sourcing, house-grown herbs, and how their James Beard semifinalist recognition helped transform the trajectory of the business. Beyond the food, the episode explores the importance of family, cultural identity, mentorship, and staying deeply connected to both St. Louis and Mexico while building something truly personal.
From Yucatán traditions to modern technique, from masa to mezcal cocktails — this episode is all about honoring heritage through food.
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Presented by Swade Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM.