FARGO — Maria's Homestyle Mexican Food, a Fargo business that has been operating as a catering company out of the Square One Rental Kitchen in north Fargo, will soon open a sit-down restaurant in downtown Fargo.

On a recent afternoon, the founder of the food company, Maria Carpenter Ostos, was busy setting up her new restaurant with a bit of help from her mother in what used to be the Smiling Moose Sandwich Grill at 102 Broadway.

"She's retired, so she's available," Ostos said, referring to her mother, Martha Salas, who replied that she was happy to help.

Salas added that she worked for many years as a waitress in California, where the family is from.

"I was 18 when I started doing waitressing," Salas said.

Ostos provided a quick history of her food business, which she said started in

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