Mr. Natural grows with Austin’s health crowd
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Austin’s health staple, Mr. Natural, all started with herbs and supplements back in 1989, and since then it has grown into a vegetarian mega store with a restaurant and bakery.
You don’t have to be a health food nut to get on the fun either. Owner Maria Luisa Mendoza points to their gluten-free wedding cakes as an example.
"People proved that the taste and healthy it goes along together," she said. "We believe very much in the cleansing of the body through the food."
The Mendozas opened their location on Cesar Chavez 23 years ago. The plan is to move the supplement portion of the business to a building next door sometime in the next few months.
"Little by little we have been accommodating more and more products," Maria said.
The health food store is filling a growing interest in the holistic lifestyle, and a little something special which makes Mr. Natural stand out.
"You can always expect the food to be really tasty and healthy and good variety," customer Oscar Morris said. "It is a blend of the hippie-ness and the Mexican food and you really don't see that anywhere else."
It's a mixture that keeps this restaurant full, and a philosophy which brings together beauty, taste and well-being.
"We didn't have this expectation and what we want is to give our best," Maria said.
There are two other Mr. Naturals on South Lamar Boulevard and East Rundberg Lane.