Over 44 Years In Our Community

January 23, 2015

Tia Helita's has an authentic family atmosphere and a dish for everyone

Tia Helitas Mexican Cuisine in Flint, Michigan

Tia Helita’s has been a Flint staple since 1970 when the restaurant first opened on Fenton Road in Flint. Growing up on the east side of Flint, in Burton, my family frequently went to both of the locations, the other being on Richfield Road near Western Highway. Some of my favorite dishes from when I was little are still my favorite dishes today. The chips and salsa are still exactly the same today as they were years ago, and I found out they still use the same recipe from when the restaurant first opened. I can even remember when it was in the small white building on Richfield, with parking behind the restaurant and with an entrance through the kitchen…just like if we were going to Grandma’s house. Tia Helita’s has always had that safe, family-welcoming atmosphere.

I had the pleasure of meeting and sitting down with Monica Reed, one of the third generation owners of Tia Helita’s. Monica has been working in the restaurant since she was 13 years old. She told me that “the best thing about a family business is having your family be part of it. Although it can be hard at times, you always know your family has your back.” My friend Tom Hicks joined me for lunch; his 46 year- old, Flint-based company has always enjoyed catered lunches from Tia Helita’s, and the restaurant also hosted their company Christmas party there too.

For those who don’t know, Tia Helitas has a full, authentic Mexican menu, which includes prime T-Bone Steaks, and their famous BBQ Ribs. Many patrons don’t realize that the BBQ sauce is homemade, the recipe including Dos Equis Beer and other special spices to make it sweet yet savory. There is full bar service with amazing margaritas and a full line of domestic and imported beers. Once the lunch rush was over, Monica was able to sit down with us so we could ask her a couple questions about her family business. Some of them included the following:

What is your favorite dish to serve?

“The fajitas, hands down, are one of the most popular dishes we serve because they come with all the sides and include chips and salsa. Another one of my favorites is the Carnita Taco Dinner which [consists of] pork taco, topped with Piico de Gallo and cilantro, and served with rice, beans or famous stew beef, Carne Guisada.”

What is your favorite dish to make?

“I love the fish tacos and the shrimp tacos! It’s funny because when I am talking to a table [of customers,] explaining some of the dishes they have not tried, the guests will listen to me, but they always go back to order their favorites. It’s hard for people to try new things when they have their minds set on one of our favorites. But if they do venture out and try it, they love it, and it usually becomes part of their new favorite list.”

What dish do the customers rave about?

“The Wet Beef Burrito, hands down. It’s made with our Carne Guisada and our guests absolutely love it. We start cooking it every day at 7:30 AM, along with all our food. Everything is made fresh each morning.”

What is the oldest recipe or dish, one which has been served continuously since 1970?
“My grandparents opened the restaurant with the exact same Carne Guisada, Chips and Salsa recipes we still use today. Those definitely hold a special place in our kitchen and in the hearts of our guests.”

What is one thing you’d like people to know about your restaurant?

“[At] our restaurant, we welcome everyone like family. We want to have the same feeling and atmosphere as our grandparents did years ago. Although many of our guests come back for their favorite dishes, we are continuously introducing new items on the menu or in the bar. As a result, some of those new items have become new favorites, such as our seafood burrito and seafood enchilada.

Oh! Another thing I keep meaning to add to the menu is sliced avocado. Our guests know they can order guacamole, but they don’t know they can order sliced avocados, which are an amazing addition to any of their favorite dishes.”

Can you rent out your restaurant for parties?

“Of course! We have two banquet rooms, which seat 35-40 people and also have our large dining area which seats 80 people for big parties. We also have the ability to host fundraisers for different groups. We believe that it is important to give back to the community which supports us… that is one of our core values.”

What is something you’d like people to know about your catering?

“We can deliver the food right to your door or venue. We even have the ability to stay onsite and service the food if you’d like. We also have many guests who come and pick up food for parties they are having, from First Communions, to Super Bowl [ functions] or even a low key Friday Family Game Night.”
“Many of our patrons have become family and that’s what make us happy; we pride ourselves in good Food, Drinks, Family and Friends!” Monica Reed, 3rd Generation Owner of Tia Helitas.

A Brand Touchpoint and a Keepsake: Enamel Pins Are Back

July 2, 2026
Check out these videos of all the different finishes for enamel pins!

A Hint of Western Style That Adds Real Event Energy

July 2, 2026
Some promotional products are practical. Some are useful. And some simply make the whole event more fun. Foldable cowboy hats fall into that last category. They bring instant energy to an event and create a shared moment people actually participate in. Whether you're hosting a company picnic, sponsoring a festival, organizing a golf outing, or planning a community celebration, foldable cowboy hats are an easy way to add personality and interaction right away. A Giveaway That Sets the Tone Foldable cowboy hats are lightweight, packable, and made for events where people are moving around and having fun. They fold into a compact pouch, making them easy to distribute and easy for guests to keep. Once opened, they pop right into shape and become part of the experience almost immediately. Perfect for Summer Events Foldable cowboy hats fit right in at: Company picnics County fairs Music festivals Rodeos Golf outings Customer appreciation events Campgrounds and outdoor recreation School events Community festivals Beach and lake events They are fun to wear, easy to carry, and naturally encourage participation and photos. A Simple Way to Add More Energy One of the best parts is how quickly they change the feel of an event. People put them on right away, start interacting more, and suddenly the environment feels more relaxed and engaging. It’s a small touch that creates a shared experience without adding complexity to your event planning.

Beyond Pencils and Backpacks: Coloring Books Make Your Brand Stand Out

July 2, 2026
Back-to-school season is one of the busiest times of year for schools, community organizations, and family-focused businesses. Open houses, orientations, festivals, and school supply giveaways all provide opportunities to connect with local families. While everyone else is handing out another pencil or notebook, consider giving them something they'll actually enjoy using: a coloring book. Coloring books are interactive, memorable, and offer a fun way to keep your brand in front of families. Better yet, there are two ways to make them work for your organization. Branded vs. Custom Coloring Books Branded Coloring Books A branded coloring book starts with a professionally designed, ready-to-print book. Your logo, business name, and contact information are added to the cover, creating an affordable giveaway that's quick to produce and easy to distribute. Branded coloring books are a great fit for school open houses, community festivals, health fairs, pediatric and dental offices, libraries, parks and recreation departments, banks, credit unions, and other family-focused events. Custom Coloring Books A custom coloring book is created specifically for your organization. Instead of placing your logo on an existing design, every page features original artwork and content that reflects your business, mission, or message. You can include your mascot, products or services, local landmarks, educational topics, safety tips, puzzles, activities, or just-for-fun pages. Whether you're introducing students to a new school, teaching healthy habits, celebrating your community, or explaining what your business does, a custom coloring book tells your story in a creative and engaging way. Give Families Something They'll Remember Back-to-school season is the perfect time to think beyond the standard promotional products. Whether you're looking for a branded coloring book featuring your logo or a completely custom coloring book with original illustrations and content, Behind Your Design can help you create something families will be excited to take home. Sometimes the best promotional products aren't the ones everyone expects. They're the ones everyone remembers.

More Than a Grand Opening: Building a Brand People Remember

July 1, 2026
When Superior Lawn & Landscape completed its new facility, they wanted an event that felt as professional and polished as the company they’ve built. Behind Your Design partnered with their team to bring that vision to life, creating an experience where every detail reinforced their brand. From the moment guests arrived, the Superior Lawn & Landscape brand was present. We managed signage, catering, beverages, entertainment, photography, and overall layout, along with rental coordination to create a cohesive, functional space. We also created branded giveaways and promotional items, including aluminum cups, koozies, journals, chapstick, bug spray, sunglasses, and lots more. Door prizes and a raffle featuring company merchandise added excitement and gave guests keepsakes from the day. The biggest visual impact came from something simple: the custom Hawaiian shirts. Seeing the team and staff in coordinated branded apparel instantly created unity. It transformed individuals into one team with one identity and reinforced the company’s personality in a way traditional marketing materials can’t. That’s the power of branded apparel.

Bringing the Flint Soap Box Derby Back to Its Historic Home

July 1, 2026
Some projects are about creating great branding. Others are about helping bring a piece of community history back to life. This spring, Behind Your Design had the privilege of supporting the return of the Flint Soap Box Derby to Cronin Derby Downs, the original home of the Flint Soap Box Derby, where racing first began in 1969. On May 30, 2026, the newly restored track welcomed racers, families, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters back to the hill for the inaugural race at its historic location. It was a day filled with excitement, nostalgia, and community pride, but the impact of the Soap Box Derby extends far beyond a single race day.

Simple. Clean. Branded. The Impact of Vinyl Lettering

June 29, 2026
When it comes to creating a polished, professional space, the details matter. One of the most effective and affordable ways to elevate your workplace is with custom vinyl lettering for walls, windows, and other smooth surfaces. Whether you’re branding a storefront, organizing an office, or adding clarity to a facility, vinyl lettering helps turn everyday spaces into intentional brand experiences. 
Show More