Gilbert Garza Moreno

Gilbert Garza Moreno, former owner of La Monita Mexican Food Products and the Rio Posada Restaurant & Night Club, passed away on September 29, 2021 at the age of 83. He was born in Houston, TX to Mexican immigrants, Candelario and Herlinda Garza - Moreno.

He began his life journey as a boy on his bike delivering his mother’s handmade tortillas to loyal customers across North Side Houston. While attending Jefferson Davis High School he found his first real passions playing baseball and basketball, the latter which would take him to play for South Texas College on scholarship. After an opportunity presented itself to play basketball for St. Mary’s College in San Antonio, which his mother encouraged him to take, he rushed to join the team. While at St. Mary’s he became a star player and ultimately graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration.

As his mother’s small tortilla business continued to grow, he realized his true calling and returned to Houston to help her develop the business into what would become La Monita Mexican Food Products. After her passing, he honored her legacy by expanding it into a major cultural footprint that continues to be remembered by Houstonians from all walks of life. Patrons loved his establishments, whether it be Northside residents who visited the La Monita storefront on Chapman Street to buy tortillas and masa, those who danced all night at the Rio Posada Night Club, those who came for the caldo soup at the Rio Posada Restaurant, or the many who had unforgettable weddings, quinceaneras, graduations, birthdays, and holiday celebrations at the La Monita Reception Hall. He created hundreds of jobs for the community. He loved and cared for all his employees, many of whom became lifelong friends long after the La Monita closed its doors. His presence and contributions to the city of Houston have sat in the hearts of many and stand as a symbol of Mexican American triumph in Texas.

He loved his lifelong neighborhood, North Side, and was proud of everyone who contributed to it, even his competitors. He loved his Houston teams, the Astros, the Rockets, the Oilers and Texans, and of course his favorite pastime, golf, all which he followed fanatically. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herlinda and Candelario Moreno, and his two brothers Roy and Ernest Musquiz. He was a loving husband of 52 years to Gloria Moreno, and an inspirational father to his children, Gilbert Jr., Amanda, and Michael, all of whom he raised to have the same drive he and his mother had.

Friends are invited to celebrate his life at a viewing on Wednesday October 6, 2021, from 4pm-6:30pm and Memorial and Rosary 6:30pm-8pm at Funeraria Del Angel Crespo Navigation. 2516 Navigation Blvd. Houston, TX 77003.

In lieu of flowers or gifts the family requests you make a donation to a memorial fund which will go to directly to the Northside Community. https://gofund.me/45f9aa8e.