Irma Galvan
Irma Galvan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1941 or 1942 (age 83–84)[1] |
| Occupation | Restaurateur |
| Known for | Irma's Original |
| Children | 4 |
| Awards | James Beard Foundation America's Classics Award |
Irma Galvan is an American restaurateur. She owns Irma's Original in Houston, Texas, which was named an America's Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2008. Food & Wine called Galvan a "local legend" in Houston.
Early life
Galvan was born in Brownsville, Texas and moved to Houston's Second Ward with her mother and siblings when she was five.[2] She has a sister and two brothers.[3] She attended Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Marshall Junior High, and Jefferson Davis High School.[3]
Galvan's mother immigrated from Matehuala, Mexico, near Guadalajara.[4]
Career
In 1989, after Galvan lost her job when the furniture wholesaler she worked for went out of business, she opened a taco stand in to help make ends meet.[5] The taco stand was located across the street from her former employer near Minute Maid Park in Houston's warehouse district.[5][4][3][6]
In 2008 Irma's Original was named a James Beard Foundation America's Classic.[7][4] During the COVID-19 pandemic, when restaurants worldwide were closed, she and her restaurant were selected for an episode of Restaurant Recovery.[8]
In 2022 Galvan was a guest judge on Top Chef Houston.[9] Food & Wine called her a Houston "local legend".[9]
Personal life
Galvan married Louis Galvan, a cancer researcher at Baylor University, with whom she has four children. She was widowed in 1981, when their children were aged 5 to 14, when he was murdered during a mugging.[4][5][10]
References
- ^ Correa, Melissa. "Local restaurant owner becomes subject of viral Hurricane Irma meme". KHOU. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ "Irma Galvan Interview | My Houston". Visit Houston. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ a b c Davidson, Sandra. "Food for the Body, Food for the Spirit: Irma Galvan and Her Award-Winning Mexican Restaurant, Irma's" (PDF). Houston History. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ a b c d Kummer, Corby (1 June 2008). "Cooking for a Sunday Day". The Atlantic. ISSN 2151-9463. Archived from the original on 4 November 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ a b c Gibson, Phoebe (4 April 2024). "The Legends Behind Houston's Greatest Food Empires". Houstonia Magazine. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ Williams, Art (6 November 2017). "12 Texas Chefs Share Their Favorite Holiday Recipes". Texas Highways. Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ "From Houston favorite to American classic". Washington Post. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ Morago, Greg (5 May 2021). "Irma's Original gets pandemic rescue". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ a b Miller, Merlyn (1 June 2022). "The Ultimate 'Top Chef' Houston Location Guide". Food & Wine. Archived from the original on 2 December 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ Feibel, Carolyn (7 July 2007). "Woman behind Irma's built success from tragedy". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2026.