Independent Mexican/Latin restaurants play a big role in their communities. They are essential meeting places for the community, important employers, and providers of great food. But they rarely get the recognition they deserve. A new contest co-sponsored by el Restaurante magazine and Mineragua aims to change that.
The 2026 Independent Mexican/Latin Restaurant of the Year Contest will shine a spotlight on three successful Mexican/Latin restaurants. Each winner will receive recognition in the magazine and a prize package designed to provide a cash infusion to the restaurants and help them grow their market:
- First place will receive $5,000, a package of point-of-sale materials, and an exclusive “Behind the Kitchen” video created just for the winning restaurant, an additional $5,000 value (click here to see an example of this video).
- Second place will get $2,000, a package of point-of-sale materials, and a $1,000 social media ad campaign.
- Third place will win $1,000, a package of point-of-sale materials, and a $500 social media ad campaign.
“Independent Mexican/Latin restaurants are essential to their communities and Mineragua is delighted to partner with el Restaurante magazine in honoring them,” says Miguel Garza, Food Service Trade Marketing Manager for Novamex, the supplier of Mineragua. “We hope this contest inspires Mexican/ Latin restaurant owners to strive for even higher levels of authenticity and service to their communities and employees.”
The entries to the 2026 Independent Mexican/Latin Restaurant of the Year Contest will be evaluated by a panel of judges who will consider the applicants’ service to their community, support of their employees, and creation of culturally authentic cuisine. The contest is open to any Mexican or other Latin-cuisine restaurant with 10 or fewer locations. Restaurant owners are welcome to nominate their own restaurants and nominations are also encouraged from restaurant customers, employees, and other people who know of a deserving restaurant. There is no cost to nominate, and the nomination form and rules can be found at elrestaurante.com/2026-independent-contest. The deadline for nominations is October 1, 2026.
“We have met thousands of Mexican/Latin restaurant owners in the three decades since we founded el Restaurante magazine, and we know that owning a restaurant is a labor of passion for many people,” says Ed Avis, publisher of el Restaurante. “And this new contest is designed to highlight owners who truly exhibit that passion.”