Retired couple runs breakfast staple in East End

HOUSTON, Texas -- Colorful walls with decorative signs welcome customers to Dona Maria.

"It feels like home when you come in here, it feels like your walking into your grandma's house," One loyal customer said.

Another customer added, "This place has a heart."

The owners, Juan and Anna Hernandez, are both retired. Juan was a firefighter and Anna was a teacher for 30 years. They say the restaurant was offered to them by the original owners.

"We thought, good, we'll do it for 5 years. The way the lord will have it, we've been here for 18 years already," Anna said.

One reason the restaurant is still standing- the homemade food.

"We stick with grandma's recipes," Anna said. "We have a tortilla lady who makes them fresh every morning."

Dona Maria is located at 2601 Navigation Blvd.