Texas restaurant owner could win $10,000 for providing warm meals during winter storm

TYLER, Texas — An East Texas restaurant owner needs support to win 7 Brew’s Hero of the Year award honoring his service to the community during a winter storm. 

Ivan Borja, who owns Mikoto Sushi and Ramen Bar in Tyler, was named a monthly 7 Brew Hero for last February to honor he and his team providing warm meals to the people who lost water and power during a winter storm. 

Now, he is among 12 nominees for the coffee drive-thru chain’s Hero of the Year award. To win, he needs votes from the public as a $10,000 top prize is on the line. To vote, click here. 

In a video, 7 Brew representatives said Borja received $500 and free coffee for a year in recognition of his February award. But he didn’t take the prize for himself.  

“In true servant leadership fashion, Ivan gave it back to his employees,” 7 Brew said. 

Borja told 7 Brew when the storm happened, he just wanted to do what he could to help those in need. 

“It wasn’t just what I was doing. It was what the community was doing at the time. There was a lot of people that lost their power,” Borja said. “They were dying in their homes. Who are they going to? Who was their backup? If they don’t even have heat, what are they eating? Just wanted to do what I knew I could do – serve a hot meal, a fresh meal that had nothing but love toward anybody that needed it.”

The winner of the contest is expected to be announced Jan. 31.