About The Howling Wolf Taqueria

The following Cherokee Legend informs our concept:

Howling Wolf Taqueria - Feed the Good Wolf - Mexican Food, burritos, Salem, MA

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

We invite you to feed the good wolf a Howling Wolf Taqueria burrito, taco, or other Mexican specialty!

Feed the Good Wolf!

Howling Wolf Taqueria Story

The owners of the Howling Wolf Taqueria, Patrick, Shelly, Gordon, and Meryl Schultz, have lived in Salem, MA for 12 years. Patrick was born and raised in California, Shelly in New Jersey, Gordon and Meryl in California, New Mexico, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Their California and New Mexico experiences inspire their love of Mexican food and Mexican and Native American Cultures. Combined, Patrick and Shelly have over 20 years of restaurant management and work experience, mostly in California and New Mexico.

The name choice, Howling Wolf, has many sources of inspiration, including the fact that while working for the Southwest office of the National Parks and Conservation Association in Albuquerque, NM, Patrick worked on the multi-agency project to reintroduce Mexican (Gray) wolves into New Mexico and Arizona. He also earned his BA in Cultural Anthropology and MA in American Studies at the University of New Mexico, which claims the Lobos, or wolves, as its mascot. Patrick’s academic emphases in his BA and MA programs centered around the study of Puebloan, Hopi, Navajo, and other Native American cultures as well as on social and environmental issues related to wilderness preservation and economic justice.

The wolf, when represented in Native American mythologies, is associated with many wonderful things, unlike the dark and negative associations that were generated about the species in Europe beginning in the "Dark Ages" and in America during the 20th Century. Characteristics that inspire reverence of the wolf in Native American cultures include: devotion to family, loyalty, wisdom, intelligence, nurturance, capacity for emotional attachments, communication skills, teaching skills, survival skills, ability to live in harmony with nature, fundamental aversion to violence, and others. To Native Americans, wolves are spiritual creatures with complex social structures that resemble human society more than any other animal species. Wolves should be respected for what they represent and what they can teach.

Did you know that the Howling Wolf was designed by John Dubus? Find out more about this Amesbury-based Architectural Designer today!

Wolves howl for many reasons, but a few inform our concept. 1. Wolves howl to locate and guide members of their communities/packs. 2. Wolves howl together to joyfully express their interdependence and closeness to one another. 3. Wolves howl before hunting for food. 4. Wolves howl to express a range of emotions, including happiness.

A wolf's howl also has a symbolic meaning for those of us at the Howling Wolf Taqueria. As stated in the Cherokee story on this page, everyone is constantly navigating the pull between the good and bad wolves in our natures. The howl represents this struggle. However, we are confident that with the right people in the right environments, and with good food and wise guidance, almost everyone chooses to "feed the good wolf." We only hope we can help in this regard.

Happy Howling!

The Schultz Family