Herby’s Story

The story of Herby is actually the story of Maria—the owner of Herby’s El Mexicano. It’s a story of hope, healing, sacrifice, love and family.

Maria Marroquin’s resilience as a business leader is unparalleled. Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, Marroquin settled with her husband Herbano “Herby” Marroquin in Steelton in 1972. They arrived less than two weeks after Hurricane Agnes devastated the area. She was unenthusiastic at first, having witnessed people floating down Front Street. She remained optimistic after attaining a job at Howards Johnson’s and later Hotel Marriott. Her husband died in a tragic car accident in 1984. Left to take care of her three children on her own—her parents and siblings still living in Mexico—Marroquin took a risk.

In 1986, a single parent of three with broken English and no formal education, she quit her job at the Marriott and opened a small Mexican grocery store in Steelton. Seven days a week, Marroquin manned the grocery store which she named Herby’s after her late husband. While providing signature Mexican foods, seasoning and spices, she cooked for her children. Customers often desired a taste of what she was preparing. That experience encouraged Marroquin to turn her grocery store into a takeout restaurant. Patrons from Steelton, Middletown, and Harrisburg frequented Marroquin’s take-out shop.

About 1999, she relocated to 720 Main Street in Steelton and opened a full-fledged restaurant called Herby’s El Mexicano restaurant. Her restaurant is popularly known as the oldest authentic Mexican restaurant in Harrisburg. Everything on her menu is a homemade recipe that she learned from her mother in Mexico. Her menu features a dinner called Camarones al Mojo de Ajo, yet most of her patrons buy the No. 2 Taco Dinner.

Today, restaurant-goers from all over Central Pennsylvania make the trip into Steelton to dine at Herby’s, including former governor Mark Schweiker and Senator Bob Casey. In 2006, Marroquin cofounded the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Central Pennsylvania to serve as the safety net for new Hispanic business owners. She served as its first vice president.