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At 4 p.m., business at Los Tules is slow. No one is rushing around, taking orders or cooking food. Instead, a server shows off her new iPhone to her bosses’ daughter, and a 4-year-old girl runs around laughing while everyone watches. A close family friend indulges her in a mini game of tag, while his teenage sister does homework at an empty table in front. This kind of laid back environment keeps Los Tules employees feeling like family.

“[Being at the restaurant] doesn’t feel like work,” Mr. Manny Macias, a host at Los Tules, said. “It feels like family.”

In 2004 Ms. Maria Tule and Mr. Salvador Tule opened Los Tules Restaurant and Cantina in the downtown area. When the restaurant was first starting out, there were only 12 employees. Now, seven years later, the Tules are just as close with their staff of 20, and maintain a more personal relationship with them than that of a typical boss and employee, according to Maria. Whether Los Tules is packed with customers or completely empty, the family atmosphere never changes, according to STA freshman Alondra Tule.

“I feel like my employees are my extended family,” Maria said.

According to Alondra, whenever there are breaks, everyone jokes around with each other. There are plenty of things to laugh about, from watching a funny video on YouTube, to telling about how a server spilled drinks. Everyone knows each other’s business and is supportive of each other, according to Macias.

“Some of [the employees] have been working for us for a really long time and have watched me grow up,” Alondra said. “[They] are like my moms in a way, because they keep me on the right track.”

The close relationship between the employees and owners of Los Tules also extends outside the restaurant.

“We truly care and listen to [our employee’s] needs outside of work,” Maria said.

Once or twice a year, the Tules organize a picnic or lake outing for the entire staff, some of whom bring their families or friends. This past Christmas and New Year’s Day, the Tules threw a combined party to celebrate both holidays, and almost all the employees showed up. Some employees also include each other and the Tules in their own family activities, such as celebrating birthdays and holidays.

“A lot of our employees are single or don’t have families here, [so they] feel really comfortable with us,” Maria said.

However, this comfortable environment can initially make it hard to be a new employee because of how close everyone already is, according to server Felicia Espinoza, who has worked at Los Tules for nine months.

“When someone is new, they are a little intimidated at first, but then they get comfortable and fall into the close family relationship,” Alondra said. “We try to make them feel welcome, and we don’t leave them out of anything.”

The home-like atmosphere isn’t just limited to employees, but includes customers as well. Regulars know and ask about employees’ families and bring gifts on special occasions.

“There’s one couple who brought me a sweater, and they always bring [my sister and I] cookies for Christmas,” Alondra said.

Friendly energy between customers, employees, and the Tules makes Los Tules a true family restaurant.

“My husband and I have worked in the restaurant business for a long time, so we understand that not all restaurants are lucky enough to be like us in terms of familiarity with employees,” Maria said.