Michael “Mico” Rodriguez, a Dallas restaurateur who helped build several Tex-Mex chains, died October 1 at 68.
A family friend said Rodriguez showed symptoms of a heart attack before his death. No cause of death has been confirmed. He co-founded Mi Cocina, which opened at Preston Forest Village in 1991. A Highland Park Village location followed in 1993, helping the restaurant grow into a chain. He also helped launch Taco Diner under the M Crowd group.
Rodriguez began working in restaurants as a child at El Chico, where his parents worked, and later joined Mia’s Tex-Mex, which his mother opened in 1980. He founded Mr. Mesero in 2011; it became the model for the Mesero chain. He and Mesero Restaurant Group parted ways in 2018, and he later became involved with Maple Street Food Hall.
His survivors include his daughter, Bianca, and his former wife, Caroline. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
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