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Marking a Milestone: Los Arroyos Mexican Restaurant celebrates 25th Birthday
On March 4, Los Arroyos Mexican Restaurant and Take Out celebrated the day that 25 years ago Jose Antonio “Tony” Arroyo opened his first restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara, California. Since that 1999 debut in a 600-square-foot space, the company has grown substantially, adding California locations in Montecito and Goleta, and in Carmel and Indianapolis, Indiana.
On Instagram and Facebook (posts excerpted here), the restaurant extended thanks to long-time employees who have contributed so much to Los Arroyos’ success.
Tony Arroyo. About 40 years ago Tony arrived in Santa Barbara with no money, no English, but a dream and a goal… to open a restaurant! He had a large family in Mexico to support and nothing was going to stop him. His passion and love for restaurant business and Santa Barbara is strong and always will be. Thank you, Tony, for having a heart of gold and your leadership all these years!
Orbelin Muñez and Jorge Nava. We owe so much of our success to our Management Team…let’s start with Orbelin and Jorge at our Goleta location! Orbelin, for example, has worked for us for nine years and his smile and warmth he brings to work every day is extremely admired.
Irma Damazo. Los Arroyos’ very first employee! Irma was young, with very little experience — but immediately she showed commitment to our business and family. Ever since, she has given us her best every day she steps into the kitchen. She still runs the kitchen in Goleta. Irma, you are a blessing to us. Thank you for being a huge part of our family (not just our business). This day is as much yours as it is ours!
Areli Miguel. Areli started with us 24½ years ago when she was just barely 17 years old. Areli has helped Los Arroyos open six restaurants (two now closed) and now manages our catering services. Areli has been with us through it all, and she has postponed too many personal goals for the sake of Los Arroyos and her family. It has been a joy to watch her grow up and become an amazing momma of three beautiful little girls while working and caring for her extended family. Areli, we are so proud of you and grateful for your love and commitment to the Los Arroyos and Arroyo familia.
Luisa Perez. Have you ever had the good fortune to have an employee that would work 24 hours a day, seven days a week for you, no matter what the job was? Well, we are blessed to say we do! Los Arroyos is proud and grateful for this amazing woman! Luisa, lead cook, has worked for us for over 24 years. You may have seen “Luisa’s Pozole” on the menu. She is an amazing cook and so valuable to the Arroyo family.
Lesli Borrayo. This woman is not only beautiful, but she also is the strongest, most loving manager, mother of five kids/adults, wife, and comadre! If you visit Los Arroyos Downtown, then you know our Lesli! Lesli is family — in fact she should add Arroyo to her last name. She has worked for us for 20 years and we couldn’t imagine life without her.
Marciano (“Marci”) Cervantes. A huge shout out to our Marciano, our strong, sweet (yes he can be) manager of Los Arroyos Montecito! When we get him to smile, it’s the best! Thank you, Marciano, for caring so much about our team and the Montecito community! Marciano has worked for us for 15 years and we are so proud and grateful to call him #Familia!
Restaurant Groups Expanding Concepts
Tortazo
Tortazo, the fast-casual concept Chef Rick Bayless launched in 2020, is coming to Harrah’s Joliet and Caesars Palace Las Vegas. Bayless, best known for Chicago’s Frontera Grill and Topolabampo, partnered with Caesars Entertainment to add the Illinois and Nevada locations of Tortazo, which currently has two locations in New York and one in Chicago's Willis Tower (the former Sears Tower).
“We’re so pleased to partner with Chef Rick to bring Tortazo to Joliet and Las Vegas,” said Anthony Carano, president and COO of Caesars Entertainment. “Chef Rick is a powerhouse — bringing a new, eclectic offering to our brand — and is the perfect addition to our roster of culinary superstars that our guests can experience and enjoy across the Empire.”
“I’m thrilled to partner with Caesars to open Tortazo at two of their incredible destinations, and I’m especially excited to open another so close to home,” Bayless said in the release. “The Caesars brand is synonymous with great hospitality, something that inspired the creation of Tortazo, so it feels like the perfect fit.”
The Harrah’s Joliet location is set to open this spring and the Las Vegas location will follow in late summer.
The interior of Rubio's new flagship location
The Rubio’s Coastal Grill location in Oceanside, California, has literally risen from the ashes three years after a fire destroyed the restaurant in 2021. When the building was torn down, Rubio’s turned misfortune into opportunity and built a new flagship restaurant from the ground up on the site. The restaurant will celebrate a grand opening of the new space on March 28. Rubio’s is donating 50 percent of all proceeds during its grand opening party to the Boys & Girls Club of Oceanside.
The design, which will serve as a prototype for future updates of other Rubio’s locations, was inspired by “the Baja taco stands where Rubio’s Co-Founder Ralph Rubio first experienced fish tacos during spring break as a college student 41 years ago,” according to a press release.
The graphic wall décor was created by Flint Finlinson from branding agency Propaganda and the interior design came from Melissa Young of MyStudio ID.
“Our goal in creating a flagship Rubio’s in Oceanside was to connect our signature Baja-inspired food, centered around our best-selling Original Fish Taco, with laid-back, beach vibes reflective of the Baja lifestyle,” said Rubio in the release. “We wanted to create a warm, distinctively Rubio’s dining experience for the supportive Oceanside community to come back, relax and enjoy. We can’t wait to welcome everyone.”
Rubio’s has locations across California, Arizona and Nevada.
Rendering of Villa One Tequila Gardens in Miami
Villa One Tequila Gardens recently announced plans to open a 12,000+-square-foot rooftop bar and restaurant to the Miami Worldcenter mixed-use development currently under construction in the city’s Park West neighborhood. Created in partnership with musician Nick Jonas and menswear designer John Varvatos, founders of Villa One tequila, the new spot will feature “over-the-top and tableside cocktails” and Margaritas, a raw bar, more than 150 tequilas and mezcals, a tequila tasting room with a tequila sommelier, an intimate speakeasy, and a menu of fresh Mexican cuisine.
“Fusing Mexican-inspired cocktails and cuisine with modern Miami sophistication, guests will be transported to an exotic destination within Downtown’s dynamic urban core,” said Nitin Motwani, managing partner of Miami Worldcenter Associates.
The first location of Villa One Tequila Gardens opened in San Diego in 2022; a pop-up in Las Vegas followed, and future locations are planned for Los Angeles, Denver and Miami.
Travel to Mexico on a Culinary Adventure with Chef Iliana de la Vega
Isabel Torrealba and Iliana de la Vega
James Beard Award-winning chef Iliana de la Vega of El Naranjo in Austin, and her daughter Isabel Torrealba, a Mexican cultural anthropologist, recently announced the schedule for six culinary trips to Mexico they’ve planned through their tour company Mexican Culinary Traditions. Spaces are still open on the following adventures, during which participants will explore the local cuisine and culture of each location, learn about using traditional ingredients during a cooking class with the chef, and stay in boutique hotels in each city.
Oaxaca City: Ancient traditions alive
September 20-26, 2024 (2 spaces open)
December 10-16, 2024
Mexico City: Where worlds collide
October 15-21, 2024 (a few spaces open)
Mérida, Yucatán: Mayan traces
December 2-8, 2024
Morelia, Michoacán: Indigenous flavors
2025 dates coming soon
Special Event Trips: Oaxaca
Unique, one-time event journeys carefully crafted and curated with specific themes in partnership with expert guests.
Mole, Maiz, Mezcal
September 13-19, 2024
In partnership with Andrea Hagan from rural tourism company Mezcouting
Watercolor & The Oaxacan Table
With artist Jan Heaton
November 8-14, 2024
Private trips also available. For more information visit www.mexicanculinarytraditions.com.
Trade Show Calendar Filling Up for Spring and Summer
Mark your calendars for these trade shows, and be sure to visit el Restaurante in Booth #5306 at the National Restaurant Show in May.
Tortilla Industry Association Annual Convention 2024 and Trade Show
May 9-10, 2024
Horseshoe Casino Resort, Las Vegas NV
National Restaurant Show
May 18-21
McCormick Place, Chicago
Texas Restaurant Show
July 13-15, 2024
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX
Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
August 25-27
Los Angeles Convention Center
Los Angeles, CA
Antojo Industry Expo: Forecast Bright for a Strong September Show
This year, el Restaurante is proud to partner with Antojo Industry Expo, the premier and only Latin-owned trade event for the Latin foodservice, retail and street vendor industries. Now in its second year, the show is scheduled for October 13-14 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California — and booth sales are going strong, according to event organizer Eric Jurado.
“I’m thrilled about the energy building around the Antojo Industry Expo. Its location is a goldmine for exhibitors and attendees seeking new business opportunities,” Jurado says. “From discovering innovative products to forging strategic partnerships, the Antojo offers everything you need to propel your foodservice or grocery retail venture forward.
Recent additions to the exhibitor list include Badia Spices, and Nongshim USA, an importer and distributor of Korean favorites like Shin Ramyun, Shin Cup Noodle, and Doenjang Guk who wants to promote the trend of Latin-spiced instant noodles.
This is the list of exhibiting brands as el Restaurante went to press:
- Megamex
- Herdez
- Wholly Guacamole
- Embasa
- Dona Maria
- La Victoria
- CMC Sales & Marketing
- El Yucateco Habanero
- Don Victor Honey
- La Sirena Sardines
- Super Lucky Jasmine Rice
- Mega Chamoy
- La Botanera Salsa
- Val Vita Tomato Sauce
- Pagasa Pasta and Cookies
- Old Hacienda
- El Rosal Flour
- Pan Harina Arepas
- 805 Cerveza
- Cremimex
- Cal State Foods
- Latino Restaurant Association
- Senic International
- Tequila Papacito
- Tequila 916
- Beanhut
- Nelia’s La Birria
- V&V Supremo
- Urban Farmhouse
- Tortilla Masters
- Toro Tents
- Same For Your Corp.
- Sauco Salsas
- Dirty Cat Mix
- Lunchitas
- Cool-A-Zone
- Fiesta Mexicana
- iBolt Mount
- Gaya Imports
- Kijun, Inc.
- La Purepecha
- Manufacturas Lenin
- IQ Risk
- Bback 4 More
- Kuko’s Adobe Marinade
- Munch Citi
- ODS Link
- Premier Labeling
- Ya Oaxaca
- Tagrisk Insurance
- Vibras Foods
- Latino Food Industry Association
- TUYYO Foods
- Lolita’s Guiltless Margaritas
- AltImpact Coffee
- Badia Spices
- Pepe's Foods
- Styles by Jean
- el Restaurante Magazine
- Gonzalez Merchandise Import & Export
- New Economics for Women
- Nongshim USA
- VNVN System
- 1515 Design
- Doregrill USA
- Cordialsa USA
- Mexico Lindo
- Zuko
Click here for information on exhibiting, or contact Jurado at (714) 914-4012, ericj@antojoindustry.com for further information. To register to attend the event, click here.
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