In the Bible, God gave manna to the Israelites to nourish them for the 40 years they wandered the desert. The recently opened El Manà in Carmichael is named for the heavenly foodstuff, and churchgoers who own the restaurant hope every taco and stuffed corn pupusa sold will help build a worship space of their own.
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The tiny restaurant sits on a triangle of land where Fair Oaks Boulevard meets Manzanita Avenue.
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Edgar and Raquel Vivanco, members of Palabra Miel church, pray at last month's grand opening of El Manà restaurant. The congregation, which worships in space borrowed from another church, started the small eatery in hopes of using the profits to buy its own church property.
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Steaks and peppers sizzle on a grill during El Manà's grand opening. Tacos and Salvadoran pupusas are on the regular menu.
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Raquel Vivanco serves the Rev. Sergio Martinez, center above, at the grand opening of El Manà restaurant last month. Trumpeter Luis Torres, below, a member of the Palabra Miel congregation, entertains at the opening ceremonies.
