La Familia Restaurant is more than just a name; it’s a promise of homemade goodness and a welcoming atmosphere. For those familiar with the cherished dining experience of La Familia Restaurant Taunton Ma, you’ll be thrilled to discover that this family-owned tradition has expanded its warmth and culinary expertise to Easton. The newest La Familia location, helmed by owners Ever, Alex, and Neto Amaya, is quickly becoming an Easton favorite, mirroring the success of their Taunton establishment.
Located at 250 Foundry St, in the space formerly occupied by The Foundry, La Familia Easton opened its doors in early September after a refreshing renovation. This expansion marks the third venture for the Amaya cousins – Ever, Alex, and Neto – who also operate thriving La Familia restaurants in Taunton and Cumberland, Rhode Island. The positive reception in Easton has been immediate and enthusiastic. According to Deb, Ever’s wife, who plays a vital role in the dining room, weekends are already seeing a surge in reservations, a testament to the restaurant’s instant appeal within the community.
“The initial welcome from Easton has been incredibly heartwarming,” Deb shared. “We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support and kind wishes. Our family is genuinely excited to be a part of the Easton community.”
For Ever, Easton was a natural choice for expansion, a community he’s long admired. Deb’s personal connection to the area, growing up in nearby Mansfield, further solidified their decision to bring the La Familia experience to Easton.
Ever’s journey to restaurant ownership is a compelling story of passion and perseverance. At just 15, he bravely left El Salvador, escaping civil unrest to reunite with his father in New York. His path then led him to the Boston area where he began his culinary career as a dishwasher at the Lafayette House in Foxboro. This pivotal role introduced him to Luciano Canova, who became a mentor, taking Ever under his wing and training him in the art of cooking at his Wrentham restaurant. Ever dedicated a decade to honing his skills under Luciano’s guidance.
Today, Ever boasts over 25 years of rich culinary experience in esteemed restaurants. In 2011, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, opening Papagallo in Attleboro with his family. However, Ever’s true passion lies in the heart of the kitchen. “I am most at home when I’m cooking,” Ever admits.
His vision for La Familia was clear: to create a haven where guests could savor authentic homemade food in an environment that felt like an extension of their own family. The triumph of Papagallo paved the way for the first La Familia in Taunton in 2014, a partnership with his brothers Alex and Neto, followed by the Cumberland location three years later.
Alex contributes over 14 years of culinary expertise, including a decade spent as a head chef, according to La Familia’s website, ensuring a high standard of culinary excellence.
Neto complements the team with 10 years of experience in hospitality and restaurant service, specializing in event management, making La Familia a perfect choice for celebrations and gatherings.
The extended La Familia team further strengthens their culinary prowess. Chef Yovani Amaya, Ever’s cousin, brings 14 years of experience, while Sous Chef Edy Amaya offers an impressive 28 years of culinary dedication. Pastry Chef Freddy Amaya, also Ever’s cousin, adds another 28 years of experience, ensuring delectable desserts round out the La Familia experience. Notably, Yovani, Edy, and Freddy all share a common background, having previously worked at Luciano’s, further cementing the lineage of culinary excellence within La Familia.
La Familia’s menu is a delightful exploration of flavors, ranging from the signature La Familia Burger, loaded with jalapenos, mushrooms, smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, onion rings, and aioli sauce, to classic, freshly prepared veal and chicken parmesan, and a tempting seafood casserole.
One standout dish, highly recommended by Ever, is the Portuguese steak. This culinary highlight features a thinly pounded flank steak, expertly seared in a cast iron pan and then sautéed in a flavorful blend of olive oil, garlic, lemon butter, white wine, and beer, enhanced with Gonsalves crushed red pepper sauce and Goya Seasoning. It’s traditionally finished with a fried egg and Portuguese red pepper, served over rice – a true taste of Portugal.
“Our Portuguese steak is exceptional,” Ever proudly states.
Other popular menu choices include the grilled chicken genovese, bathed in a fresh homemade basil cream sauce, the hearty fettuccine bolognese, featuring a rich homemade sauce of beef, veal, and sweet Italian sausage, and the crowd-pleasing eggplant stack appetizer. Recognizing dietary needs, La Familia also provides gluten-free pasta options.
Seasonal specials add further intrigue to the menu, with past features including butternut squash ravioli, refreshing apple cider Sangria, and a comforting stuffed chicken parmesan with a four-cheese blend, as mentioned by Deb.
The dessert offerings at La Familia are equally enticing. Indulge in fried ice cream, classic churros, comforting bread pudding, or their special cheesecakes, which rotate with seasonal flavors like key lime and pumpkin.
Ever has ambitious plans for La Familia Easton’s future. Once the ongoing Five Corners Sewer Project is completed, he envisions expanding the seating capacity. He also aims to introduce a drive-thru window to streamline pick-up service for takeout orders. Looking further ahead, Ever hinted at the possibility of adding yet another La Familia location in the future, a testament to the brand’s continued growth and popularity.
La Familia Easton welcomes guests for both lunch and dinner. For more information, including their full menu and reservations, visit their website at www.lafamiliarestaurants.com or call 508-297-0327. Experience the family tradition and homemade flavors that make La Familia Restaurant, from Taunton to Easton, a true dining destination.
