— Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Billie Shelton JADE and Hamilton Hometowns hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Abuelos Saturday afternoon. Here Norma Fiddelke Showen wields the scissors to officially open the new restaurant for business.

JEWELL – Norma Fiddelke Showen has “always wanted to have a restaurant,” she said. That long-held ambition was at last realized when Abuelos opened on Main Street in Jewell about ten days ago.

The new business owner draws on her family background and her own cooking experience for the menu at the authentic Mexican restaurant that features traditional Mexican dishes such as tacos, flautas, nachos, and tostados.

“Everything I do I make it myself,” she pointed out. “Very seldom do I use anything from a box or a can, and I hate frozen.” Enchiladas are the specialty at Abuelos, and Fiddelke makes tortillas and salsa herself.

Fiddelke Showen grew up in the South Hamilton area after her grandparents settled in Ellsworth in the 1960s. She honors that family connection with the name of the restaurant, as abuelos means grandparents in Spanish.

Her children graduated from South Hamilton, where she also attended school. Even though she has held other jobs over the years, Fiddelke Showen has always done a lot of cooking for her family and others from her home–catering youth group fundraisers, wedding rehearsal dinners, and receptions.

When the building in Jewell came available complete with all the equipment and furnishings from the last restaurant still in the building, Fiddelke decided it was a good time to get into the restaurant business. The dining area with nine tables is small enough to be efficient and inviting but light and roomy, with a large front window that looks out on Main Street.

Everything on the menu is also available for carry out.

Hours at the Jewell restaurant are Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.