News
Mejía Barbacoa: From Aztec Tradition to NYT Recognition
The story of Mejía Barbacoa began long before Omar and Alondra Mejía arrived in California in 1997. Its origins date back to 1932, when Miguel Mejía Téllez, Omar’s grandfather, began preparing and selling barbacoa in Tulancingo, Hidalgo. Since then,
Nov 4, 2026
8:31 PM
Rusty Taco Expands Community Engagement Through Force4Good Partnership
Rusty Taco, the fast-casual restaurant brand known for street-style tacos, is strengthening its commitment to community engagement through a new partnership with Force4Good, a technology platform designed to improve local fundraising.
Nov 3, 2026
4:48 PM
Chicago's Birria Ocotlan: Four Generations of a Secret Recipe
Since 1973, Birria Ocotlan has kept alive in Chicago a culinary tradition that began in Ocotlán, Jalisco, and has been passed down from generation to generation within the Reyes family. Andrés Reyes, representing the fourth generation, took over the
Oct 29, 2026
1:42 PM
Churros For Change Campaign Supports Domestic Violence Survivors
Taco Bueno again supported domestic violence survivors during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, October, with its “Churros for Change” campaign. From October 14 through October 18, Taco Bueno donated 100% of profits from its Churro Fries sa
Oct 27, 2026
Mexico City’s Fonda Fina: Eleven Years of Cooking Up Memories
Mexico City’s Roma Norte neighborhood wakes up early; before the tables fill with conversation and toasts, the sidewalks welcome passersby, office workers, and neighbors strolling through a neighborhood where art galleries, specialty coffee shops, bo
Oct 26, 2026
Mexican Wine: A Regional Story
The commemoration of Mexican Wine Day 2026 on October 7, held at CESSA University in Mexico City, connected the history of the Mexican wine industry and its future. A highlight was a presentation by Javier Casillas, an academic and specialist in Mexi
Oct 24, 2026
“Made in Restaurants” Campaign: NRA Invites Industry Members to Share Their Stories
For 250 years, restaurants have powered America. They fuel connection, power the economy, and open doors of opportunity. From the corner taquería that’s fed the neighborhood for decades to the multi-unit brand with a loyal following, restaurants are
Oct 21, 2026
Cafe Rio Turns Signature Beverages into LTO Lip Balm Collection
Utah-based Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican is extending its craft beverage lineup beyond the cup with a limited-edition lip balm collection from Idaho-based beauty brand Poppy & Pout. The collection, which debuted October 13, includes flavors tied to a
Oct 20, 2026
Small Gestures Pay Off: New Book from el Restaurante Contributor Pepe Stepensky Guides Restaurant Owners
Small gestures can play a big role in the success of a restaurant. That’s one key piece of advice in a fantastic new book by Pepe Stepensky, owner of Margarita’s Kitchen & Cantina and three other restaurants in San Diego. His book, The Burrito Effect
Oct 20, 2026
Shawn Campbell
Chef Johnny Curiel: “I wanted to be known for being a badass Mexican restaurant”
Chef Johnny Curiel grew up in his family’s restaurants in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he learned early that hospitality goes far beyond serving food. His parents’ fondas, the guisados prepared throughout the week, and the regular customers who returne
Oct 13, 2026
Latino Restaurant Association Joins California Restaurant Show
The Latino Restaurant Association, a trade organization headquartered in Los Angeles, played a key role in the California Restaurant Show, held August 23–25 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Oct 9, 2026
Exceptional Flavor, Exceptional Value: 3 Mexican Restaurants in Texas Earn Bib Gourmand Honors
Great food doesn’t have to come with a big check — and the MICHELIN Guide agrees. Beyond honoring restaurants with its coveted Stars, it also celebrates restaurants that serve exceptional food at great value with its Bib Gourmand distinction. el Rest
Oct 9, 2026
Flavors That Change Stories: Mexican Restaurant Program Aims for 5,000 Breast Cancer Screenings
Can a meal help change a woman’s story? That is the question behind Flavors That Change Stories, an initiative that brings together the culinary industry, companies, organizations, and consumers around a common purpose: to generate resources that mak
Oct 8, 2026
Photo Gallery: Antojo Expo 2026
Antojo Expo 2026 wrapped up on Tuesday, October 6. Attendees enjoyed seeing hundreds of new products designed for the Mexican/Latin restaurant industry, as well as many products intended for Asian restaurants and the general restaurant market. Below
Oct 8, 2026
Ana Isabel Photography
Amparo Fondita: “I want customers to have a plate of food that isn’t transactional”
For Christian Irabién, cooking was never too far away, even though for a time he did everything he could—or at least followed the path his family had mapped out for him—to stay away from restaurants.
Oct 5, 2026
10 Years in the Making: A Premium Mexican Rum
When you think of spirits from Mexico, tequila and mescal come to mind, perhaps followed by sotol. But not excellent rum. That may be about to change.
Sep 30, 2026
Tijuana Flats Goes Mega Big with Burrito
Evidently regular-sized burritos are just not enough for some people. And Mexican fast casual restaurant Tijuana Flats wants those kinds of people in their restaurants, so they’re bringing back the two-pound Mega-Freakin’-Juana Burrito for a limited
Sep 29, 2026
Wanted: Pulque Lovers to Help Tlaxcala Set a Guinness Record
Want to taste some pulque, the traditional Mexican fermented beverage that only rarely makes its way north of the border? Now you taste some of the world’s best…and take part in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record!
Sep 29, 2026
Antojo Expo Schedule Posted
The 2026 Antojo Industry Expo is getting close! The event is October 5 and 6 at the Long Beach Convention Center. The schedule of events is below
Sep 25, 2026
Houston Event Will Bring Mexican Products North of the Border
“México Está de Moda” will bring a selection of Mexican brands to Houston on October 8 for an event that aims to transform promotion into commercial relationships, experiences, and new business opportunities.
Sep 24, 2026
Much to Celebrate on Mexican Wine Day
With more than 550 wine-making projects in 17 states and 39 out of every 100 bottles consumed in Mexico being domestically produced, the industry arrives at Mexican Wine Day with a history that goes far beyond the glass.
Sep 24, 2026
Mike Prince
Amá: A New Take on Mexican Cuisine in Philadelphia
When Frankie Ramírez arrived in the United States more than 22 years ago, he never imagined that one day his name would be associated with one of the Hispanic restaurants highlighted by The New York Times. Much less did he imagine that what began as
Sep 24, 2026
LRA Restarts Business Bootcamp for Restaurants
The Latino Restaurant Association has announced the return of the LRA Business Bootcamp for Restaurants — a six-week accelerator built for restaurant owners, by restaurant owners.
Sep 23, 2026
