Reyes Gonzales Morales and Victoria Rizo Gonzales's journey began in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico. Born in 1939 and 1946 respectively, they married on November 10, 1963, after a brief but heartfelt courtship. The following year, they moved to Monterey, where Reyes, driven by ambition and a passion for his craft, opened his first meat market at just 25 years old. When business was slow, Reyes would load baskets with freshly made chorizo and walk the streets, selling his product door to door. In 1967, they returned to Ciudad Acuña, where Reyes worked in the U.S. to support his family, making trips back to Mexico until 1970, when he brought his family to Crane, Texas.

In Crane, Reyes took a job as a butcher at Webb’s Grocery, where he also learned English. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to start a Mexican import business, selling goods wherever he could find customers. In the early 1980s, Reyes fulfilled a lifelong dream by building Gonzales Meat Market from the ground up. He taught himself to pour cement, lay cinderblock, and even handle electrical and plumbing work, determined to save money and create a lasting legacy. Unfortunately, due to an oil field downturn, the market had to close after five years, but Reyes and Victoria continued to work hard, with Victoria selling breakfast tacos to local workers, and Reyes selling produce and firewood to make ends meet.

Their legacy of hard work, resilience, and love for family is now carried on by their children, who have been making and distributing chorizo to family and friends in West Texas for over 20 years. The founding of El Rey Chorizo & Sausage Company is a tribute to the dreams and sacrifices of Reyes and Victoria Gonzales, ensuring that their story and spirit live on.