Say ‘Hi’ to Martha at the St. Charles Festival

Martha Silva may not be a familiar face yet to Studio City, but she plans to be.

She’s already a regular fixture at the St. Charles Festival, where she and her family have served up tacos and burritos for the past five years as a donation to the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church at 10850 Moorpark St. at the corner of Lankershim Boulevard.

“I enjoy it, there are so many people who come to say ‘hello’ and it is a fun event,” said Silva, who plans to be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday serving up tacos for the festival-goers.

Silva’s husband and son, Marlo Tornel (and Marlo Tornel Jr.) will be opening up Cactus Tacos on the corner of Moorpark and Tujunga, not far away, in the location of the former Henry’s Tacos.

“We have always been part of the community, and we plan to be more a part of the community,” Silva said. “When you come to the window at the Cactus Tacos in Studio City, it will be me at the cash register.”

Studio City resident Nancy Sexton said, "Martha has proudly served and contributed to the Studio City community for years. Martha provides the taco stand at the St. Charles Festival every year and all of her children have gone to school there. Her story and her family is just down right amazing and is what makes Studio City the best place to live."

One of Silva’s daughters, Adrianna, attended the Catholic Church’s private school, and just graduated.

“They love us so much, they keep asking us to come back, and we do,” Silva said.

Their business donates thousands of dollars of food a day and serves it up for the charity. The family owns two Cactus Tacos shops in Hollywood as well as the one they will soon open in Studio City, and Martha helps her sister in a custom furniture store called Euro Chic in Pasadena.

Yes, she has a lot on her plate, Silva admitted, but the charity event is important for her and the family.

“They do a lot of good there,” Silva said, “And it is a lot of fun for the whole family.”

The St. Charles Festival offers rides, games, food, a silent auction and a major raffle for up to $10,000.  Click here for more information: http://patch.com/E-wDKL

Also see:

* St. Charles Borromeo Parish Festival Starts Friday

And stay tuned to Patch for more about the family and when the new taco stand will open.