News
Calling all chefs! 8th Annual Real California Pizza Contest Open for Entries!
Do you have a recipe for a pizza that’s featured on your menu, or maybe a recipe for a pizza you think would wow your guests? If so, the California Milk Advisory Board wants to see it — because it could be an award-winner in the CMAB’s 8th Annual Rea
Mar 5, 2026
8:40 PM
Classic San Diego Taco Joint Redesigned
Sometimes restaurants become community icons. A good example is La Posta de Acapulco in San Diego, which was located in an architecturally interesting kiosk until suddenly closing last summer. Over time, the structure became worn and outdated, losing
Mar 3, 2026
12:17 PM
Fermente Fest 2026 Highlights Natural Mexican Wine, Fermented Spirits
On March 28, 2026, the iconic Foro El Obraje will once again beat to the rhythm of wild yeasts. In the heart of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, the fourth edition of Fermente Fest will put the spotlight on natural wines and fermented spirits made with
Mar 3, 2026
11:59 AM
Mi Tocaya’s Diana Davila to Compete on Inaugural 'America’s Culinary Cup'
A new cooking competition series premiering Wednesday, March 4 on CBS will feature Chicago’s Diana Davila, chef/owner of acclaimed Mi Tocaya Antojeria, who will be competing with 15 other elite chefs for $1 million — the biggest cash prize ever award
Feb 26, 2026
New Opening Round-Up: Funky Frida’s, Camello Among New MexLat Restaurants in Arizona
Arizona diners craving Mexican- and Latin-inspired food now have even more destinations that will satisy their culinary cravings with the recent openings of restaurants that offer options ranging from casual to elevated cuisine.
Feb 25, 2026
L.A.’s Casa Vega Celebrates 70 Years with “The Ray Vega Patio”
Casa Vega, a historic Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles opened in 1956, will soon unveil The Ray Vega Patio — a new, 3,000-square-foot expansion honoring founder Rafael “Ray” Vega, Jr., and commemorating 90 years of Vega family restaurateurs in Los
Feb 20, 2026
What Are the Best Wines, Beers and Spirits from Mexico? Check Them Out!
Are you wondering what great liquor is coming out of Mexico these days? You can learn about the best Mexican wine, beer and spirits by paying attention to the Mexico Selection by CMB, a competition that awards silver, gold and “Grand Gold” medals to
Feb 19, 2026
Rreal Tacos Expanding to Florida
Rreal Tacos, a multi-unit taqueria based in Atlanta, Georgia, is expanding to Florida. The company has acquired the former Haiku American-Asian Fusion restaurant in downtown Tampa, marking Rreal Tacos’ first Florida location and the beginning of a mu
Feb 16, 2026
Help Us Launch the el Restaurante Price Tracker
At el Restaurante magazine, we are developing a new quarterly report that will help Mexican/Latin restaurant owners track prices of the products they need, such as produce, meat and tortillas. Some of the data will come from the USDA and other data s
Feb 12, 2026
Who Has the Best Mexican Wine List? El Mural de los Poblanos in Puebla, Mexico
El Mural de los Poblanos, an iconic restaurant in the capital of Puebla, Mexico, was honored for its outstanding selection of national wines in the Best Mexican Wine List program by the Guía México Gastronómico 2026. The award is sponsored by the Con
Feb 12, 2026
Bird & Co.: Creativity in Motion, From the Taco Bar to Grocery Shelves
When Bird & Co. opened its doors in Portland, Maine, in 2019, it did so quietly, almost modestly. There was no sprawling menu, no grand opening spectacle—just ten carefully executed tacos, fresh tortillas, margaritas, and a clear sense of purpose. Se
Feb 9, 2026
Hand-out Sotol Romo
Spotlight on Sotol: New Product Launched Super Bowl Week
The spotlight shone on what experts have called the third pillar of Mexican spirits when Sotol Romo launched last week as part of Super Bowl Week festivities in San Francisco.
Feb 9, 2026
Mexican Wineries Unite at Banorte Nación de Vinos 2026
More than 4,000 people and 85 wineries participated in Banorte Nación de Vinos 2026 on January 28 and 29 at Campo Marte in Mexico City. The seventh edition of this annual event brought together winemakers, producers, sommeliers, restaurants, and cock
Feb 6, 2026
Meggie Salgado: Mexican Congresswoman Mixes Politics, Hospitality
Good politicians and good restaurateurs have a lot in common. They remember names and faces, they listen, they try to take care of their constituents. Yet rarely does one person live in both worlds. Magda Erika Salgado Ponce, aka Meggie Salgado, is o
Feb 4, 2026
Report: Most Mexican Chains Shrank in 2025
The state of the restaurant industry is rough. That fact came into clear focus when we were researching this year’s Mexican Multi-Unit Report, our 13th. The primary indicator of the situation is that 26 of the top 50 chains closed more locations in t
Jan 30, 2026
Mexican Glassmaker Orion Trading Sold
Drinique LLC, has acquired Orion Trading, producer of a line of hand-blown recycled glassware and artisanal serveware.
Jan 27, 2026
47 Mexican/Latin Restaurants Among 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists
el Restaurante congratulates these Mexican/Latin-themed restaurants named as 2026 James Beard Award Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists. These honorees join what the organization calls ”a constellation of James Beard Award–recognized leaders who
Jan 27, 2026
Chorizo, Mocktails, Salsa Secrets are Highlights of JanFeb Issue of El Restaurante
Wow, the January/February 2026 issue of el Restaurante is one of our best ever! It's packed with articles to help your Mexican restaurant: Trends in chorizo; salsa-making tips from a bona fide expert; our 13th annual Mexican Multi-Unit Report; how to
Jan 23, 2026
Put Your Salsa Recipe to the Test!
Are you proud of the salsa you make in your restaurant? Then put your salsa recipe to the test and enter the el Restaurante Sassiest Salsa Contest sponsored by Sammic!
Jan 23, 2026
Applications for LA Cocina Culinary Youth Training Program Open
Do you know a young person who would like a pursue a culinary career? Tell them that people ages 16 to 24 can now apply for LA Cocina de Gloria Molina’s free, five-week program designed to launch careers in the restaurant and hospitality industries.
Jan 20, 2026
“Ingredient Storytelling” and Shrinking Menus Among James Beard Chefs Predictions
What food, drink and hospitality trends will be heating up restaurants in the year ahead? The James Beard Foundation (JBF) wondered, too, and asked JBF-recognized chefs and restaurant owners to weigh in on 2026 trends. The following list includes som
Jan 13, 2026
Webinar: Preparing for ICE Escalation in 2026
The fear of federal border patrol actions against people of color gripped America in 2025, and it may get even worse in 2026. Law firm Monty & Ramirez LLP is hosting a webinar on Friday, January 16 at noon Central time on how employers should prepare
Jan 7, 2026
Dry January is Here! Try These 5 Mocktail Recipes
It’s that time of year when many of your customers plan to swear off alcohol—at least for the next month. According to The State Of Dry January 2025 report, the first nationwide survey to examine the trend, “Dry January has moved firmly into the main
Jan 6, 2026
