Father, son bond over family business

CINCINNATI, Ohio — A lot of times small businesses are family businesses, and for one new restaurant in Cincinnati, that’s certainly the case.

One chef and his teenage son are using their time together in the kitchen to build their business and their relationship.

What You Need To Know

• Steven Graham started his restaurant Shango’s Tacos about a year ago
• Steven wanted to still be able to spend time with his 13-year-old son, Ian, through the process
• Which is why, nearly every day after school, Ian helps out at Shango’s 
• The hope is to continue to foster the father-son relationship 

At Shango’s Tacos, it’s all about making the customers happy. But it’s mostly about family.

Thirteen-year-old Ian Graham, who is in seventh grade, is the son of owner Steven Graham.

Steven (right) shows his son Ian how to make a menu item. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

“We’re going to have a relationship,” Steven said. “It may be centered around the business, but we’re going to know each other well.”

Steven’s taco concept opened about a year ago inside Factory 52’s food hall, the Gatherall. And Ian has been there since the beginning, learning a lot.

“To try my best,” Ian said. “And I learned how to actually count money.”

Ian helps wherever needed, whether it’s helping customers or making tacos. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

Ian is often in the back doing whatever needs to be done, whether that chip and salsa duty, making tacos or even going into the back and refilling products.

The hope was to have more time between the father and son duo.

“He knows that if I don’t come, I won’t see him all day,” Ian said.

It has turned into many life lessons along the way.

Steven said he’s noticed Ian’s ability to pay closer attention to detail since helping at the restaurant. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

“Getting him to pay more attention, I’ve seen him refine it,” Steven said. “I’ve seen him be more aware. His awareness has been heightened in the 16 months that we’ve been in, in restaurant. So yeah, it’s helping him mature for sure.”

Ian, a self-proclaimed foodie, even helped develop a main menu item: the nachos.

Ian makes some of his famous nachos. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

“That’s why nachos are on the menu,” Steven said. “If he hadn’t made them, I was going to stay as close to tacos as possible.”

“He was like, ‘we got to put this on the menu,’” Ian said of his dad’s reaction.

For Ian, it’s become a part of his daily routine, even if this teenager doesn’t always want to show up for work.

“I got to learn how to turn off being funny and get into work mode,” Ian said.