News About Mexican/Latin Restaurants from el Restaurante Magazine
September 10, 2021
Special Edition: Winners of the 2021 Jarritos/el Restaurante Mexican Restaurant Owner of the Year
Editor’s Note: Wow, we were overwhelmed with the response to our first contest honoring independent Mexican restaurant owners. We received nearly 700 nominations! It was difficult choosing the winners, but in the end these three topped the rest. They were chosen by a panel of four judges: Lilly Rocha, CEO of the Latino Restaurant Association; Eric Delamare, director of marketing, Novamex; Kathleen Furore, editor of el Restaurante; and Ed Avis, publisher of el Restaurante.
First Place: Delilah Snell, Alta Baja Market, Santa Ana, CA
Each successful independent restaurant owner is unique, with his or her own style, passions and hopes. But many of them have these qualities in common: They are creative in the kitchen, they build relationships with their employees, and the sincerely engage with the community. Delilah Snell, owner of Alta Baja Market in Santa Ana, California, exhibits these qualities clearly. Snell is the first place winner in the 2021 Jarrito’s/el Restaurante Independent Mexican Restaurant Owner of the Year Contest. Read More
Second Place: Martha Ortega, El Cochinito Contento, Fresno, CA
The adjectives customers use to describe Martha Ortega, owner of El Cochinito Contento in Fresno, California all have a similar tone: welcoming, kind, generous, compassionate. It’s no surprise that somebody that warm and beloved, who also is highly praised for her delicious Mexican cuisine, was nominated for the Jarrito’s/el Restaurante Independent Mexican Restaurant Owner of the Year Contest by 26 people! Ortega won second place in the contest. Read More
Third Place: Andres Reyes, Birrieria Ocotlan, Chicago
Andres Reyes is only 33 years old, but he is maintaining a tradition that stretches back to 1926, when his great great grandfather started a birrieria in Ocatlan, Jalisco. Reyes’ restaurant, appropriately called Birrieria Ocotlan, was founded by his father, Ramon, in 1973. Andres took over the business when Ramon retired about five years ago. Read More
New Restaurant From Hugo Ortega Opens in Houston
Urbe, Ortega's fifth restaurant, will spotlight Mexican street food Read More
Modern Brazilian Restaurant Opens in Los Angeles
Chef Rodrigo Oliveira helms Caboco in LA's Arts District Read More
Baltimore Restaurant Gives Venezuelan Chefs a Haven
Four Venezuelan chefs have already joined Alma Cocina Latina Read More
Vegan Favorites on the Menu at Atlanta's La Semilla
Sophia Marchese and Reid Trapani will open the spot in March Read More
Indigenous Chef is Only Mexican on "50 Next" List
Claudia Albertina Ruiz Santíz promotes indigenous cuisine Read More
Other Mexican/Latin Foodservice Industry News
Latino Restaurant Assoc. "Dine Latino" Sign-Up Open
The LRA is inviting more restaurants to join the late Sept. event Read More
Looking for New Menu Items? Check Out This Show
The inaugural Cocina Sabrosa features many first-time exhibitors Read More
State Association News
Texas Rest. Assoc. Explains New Sex Harassment Law
The legislation means all Texas employers are subject to the law Read More
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