el Restaurante magazine

Mexican Multi-Units: “Fresh” is Still Hot, Rebranding is Trending

Welcome to the 2015 el Restaurante Mexican Multi-Unit Report, our second annual examination of Mexican multi-unit operators. more »

Tortillas Take Center Stage

Tortilla sales have quadrupled between 1997 and 2013, and more than $12 billion worth were sold last year. Is your restaurant getting its share? more »

Soup’s On: Sopa is a Mexican Menu Essential

Although not everyone north of the border considers soup a required course for the main meal of the day, in Mexico it is almost universally expected. Comida time means soup time. more »

Features

Cinco de Mayo Quiz for Your Customers!

Our Cinco de Mayo quiz is a long-time reader favorite. Print this out and give it to customers on May 5, then reward them with coupons or special giveaways if they get a perfect score! more »

Feb 6, 2013 1:17 PM

Mexico City: Culinary Capital!

Mexico City, a culinary destination with over 2,000 restaurants, plus myriad market stalls and street food stands, is considered one of the world’s great food cities. more »

Mar 2, 2015 12:54 PM

The Popular Pomegranate: An Inviting Menu Addition

Late summer brings a bounty of pomegranates to Mexican markets, as eager chefs and home cooks get ready to prepare the national dish, chiles en nogada. more »

Aug 9, 2014 4:18 PM

Tamale Trends: Old World Meets New World in California Storefront

Tucked into a strip mall in Fresno, Calif., Casa de Tamales’ modest storefront appearance belies the award-winning, flavorful, good-for-you fare found inside. more »

Nov 21, 2014 11:49 AM

SALAD SENSATIONS

Salads are becoming an increasingly popular way for Latin restaurants to please customers who want something healthier and lighter...but still delicious! more »

Aug 9, 2014 5:03 PM

Chef Eduardo Ruiz and the staff at Corazón y Miel in Bell, Calif., love the traditional Mexican popsicle, the paleta. They love liquor, too. When they decided to combine the two, a new dessert was born: Paletas En Su Jugo. more »

May 9, 2014 10:48 AM

Sunrise Success

Breakfast is the most important part of the day, nutritionists say, and it's becoming more important for Mexican restaurants, too. more »

May 9, 2014 12:48 PM

Finds from Expo Comida Latina and Western Foodservice Expo

Check out what el Restaurante editor Kathleen Furore discovered at Expo Comida Latina/Western Foodservice Expo! more »

Aug 28, 2014 11:56 PM

Small Brewery Beers from Latin America Can Spice Up Your Menu

Beer is a big seller at most Mexican restaurants, but patrons are starting to look for something more than the usual varieties. Now several craft brewers are delivering. more »

Aug 9, 2014 4:14 PM

Five Tips to Keep Cross-Contamination From Causing a Foodborne Illness

A foodborne illness can hurt your customers and kill your restaurant. One major cause of foodborne illness is cross-contamination, and here are five tips to prevent that in your restaurant. more »

Aug 8, 2014 4:19 PM

Six Products from the Texas Restaurant Association Marketplace Worth Considering

el Restaurante publisher Ed Avis just returned from the Texas Restaurant Association Marketplace in Houston and saw a number of products worth sharing with readers, ranging from juice bases for agua fresca to beer taps located at the tables. more »

Jun 25, 2014 9:35 PM

10 Products from NRA Worth Looking At

The National Restaurant Show concluded this week. Editor Kathleen Furore and Publisher Ed Avis scoured the show for interesting products for Mexican/Latin restaurants, and present 10 of their finds here. more »

May 21, 2014 11:09 PM

Web Exclusive: Five Ways to Spice Up a Slow Night at Your Restaurant

Are Tuesday nights turgid in your restaurant? Are Wednesdays wicked slow? Try one of the following five tips to get those slow nights hopping. more »

May 13, 2014 6:35 PM

The Plantain: A Versatile Staple on Mexican Menus

The plantain, called platoon macho in Mexico, had a long and colorful history before arriving on the country’s tropical shores, where it is now abundant. It is a vital ingredient in many Latin recipes today. more »

Feb 26, 2014 8:27 PM

Chains on the Grow: An In-depth Look at the Top 100 Mexican Multi-Unit Restaurants

Becoming a multi-unit operator is the dream of many owners of Mexican restaurants. And for good reason: Mexican concepts are among the fastest-growing multi-units, data shows. This first-ever el Restaurante multi-unit report examines the trends. more »

Feb 13, 2014 9:27 AM

Chef Erwin Ramos of Olé Restaurant Group.

A Recipe for Multi-Unit Success: Tips for operators hoping to expand

Want to expand your restaurant to new locations? Here are five questions to ask before making the leap. more »

Feb 13, 2014 11:37 AM

Amazing Appetizers

Customers expect to find chips, salsa, guacamole—and probably melted cheese-topped nachos—when dining out at most Mexican restaurants. But today, many establishments are exceeding expectations by menuing appetizers with unexpected twists. more »

Feb 11, 2014 9:23 AM

Salsas arranged on a catering set-up for La Palapa Cocina Mexicana

Consider Catering: Six Ways to Boost Event-Based Business

If there was a way you could pump up profits and tap potential new customers, would you jump at the chance? If so, adding a catering component to your business is something to consider. more »

Dec 2, 2013 12:53 PM

Photo by Julio C. Sánchez Cáceres

Mexican Sandwiches Star at California Restaurant

Cook's Tortas is changing the way diners think of traditional tortas. Bread that requires a two-hour long baking process and authentic recipes from the owner’s abuelita are among the ingredients breaking the mold from regular Mexican torta cuisine. more »

Dec 2, 2013 1:16 PM

Congratulations to the 2015 James Beard Semifinalists from Latin Restaurants!

In mid-February, the James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists for its 2015 restaurant and chef awards. el Restaurante presents this list of the Mexican, Latin, Spanish and Southwestern concepts on that list: more »

Mar 2, 2015 Industry News
Avocados From Mexico Presents Avocado Green Marble®

Presentation matters…and now Avocados From Mexico makes it simple with the eye-catching Avocado Green Marble®, a new way to prep, store and plate avocados. more »

Mar 2, 2015 Industry News
Taco Bell Ventures Into Japan

Consumers craving a quick taco in Japan will soon have one of America’s most recognized brands to choose from, thanks to a franchise agreement between Yum Brands' Taco Bell unit and Asrapport Dining in Japan. more »

Mar 2, 2015 Industry News
On the Border Offers $2 Margaritas During National Margarita Day Event

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® is turning National Margarita Day, which honors the world's most popular cocktail, into a weekend-long affair. It is offering margaritas for $2 during the event! more »

Feb 10, 2015 Industry News
Amelia’s Taqueria Opens Near Northeastern Univ

Fresh Mexican food has found a new home near Northeastern University. Amelia’s uses its signature fajita vegetables to top off their burritos, which “put Chipotle and Qdoba to shame” according to one student. more »

Feb 6, 2015 Industry News