Maria Elena Lorenzo is an Afro-Mexican cook specializing in native cuisine from Costa Chica of Guerrero, Mexico.

[1] After coming to the U.S., Maria and Juan began to cook and sell their native Afro-Mexican style tamales from a small cart in the Watts neighborhood of Bell Gardens, California.

[1][2][3] Maria started off selling her tamales at the local Grape Street Elementary School and the Imperial courts housing projects, where her and her family resided.

[1] In 2007, Maria upgraded to a food truck which continued to serve the Watts neighborhood with an expanded menu.

[3][1] In July 2020, Maria opened a restaurant called Tamales Y Elena Antojitos, specializing in Guerrero-style cuisine passed down through the Lorenzo family.