El Restaurante Magazine

07/12/2023

This week's ¡Buena Idea! comes from Denver, where Kahlo's Mexican Restaurant and Cervecería Colorado are partnering for a Tamales & Cervezas Pairing. The Dec. 10 event will feature 4 Mexican-inspired cervezas paired with 4 tamales from Kahlo’s — a restaurant with a menu inspired by the food of owner Noe Bermudez’s home state of Michoacán. elrestaurante.com/blogs/industry-news/¡buena-idea-tamales-cervezas-pairing/

‘Tis the season for tamales! And Kahlo’s Mexican Restaurant in Denver is celebrating by partnering with Cerveceria Colorado to bring customers “el más delicioso tamale pairing of 2023!”

06/12/2023

Applications for the @ LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Culinary Youth Training Program are due Dec 15! Don't miss the deadline for the Spring 2024 session, which provides 16- to 24-year-olds from under-resourced communities the opportunity to acquire skills for entering the restaurant and hospitality industries. Find more information and the link to apply here. elrestaurante.com/blogs/industry-news/applications-for-la-plaza-cocina-training-program-due-dec-15/

Applications are still being accepted for the Spring 2024 session of LA Plaza Cocina’s Culinary Youth Training Program, which provides 16- to 24-year-olds from under-resourced communities the opportunity to acquire skills for entering the restaurant

05/12/2023

We're happy to report that 4 Latin Restaurant Chefs are StarChefs Austin-San Antonio ‘Rising Stars’ for 2023! Read about Chef Emil Oliva of Leche de Tigre Tx, Chef Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria, Chef Derrick Flynn of Este and Suerte, and Chef Casandra Perez-Martinez of Comedor.
elrestaurante.com/blogs/industry-news/4-latin-restaurant-chefs-are-austin-san-antonio-‘rising-star/

We love reading and reporting about up-and-coming chefs in the Mexican/Latin restaurant space. So, we were excited to see that StarChefs’ recent list of Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars included four professionals who focus on Mexican/Latin cuisine.

01/12/2023

The great Mexican-inspired concepts just keep on coming! We have news about 2 of them: Una Vida, celebrated Chef Matt McCallister's just-opened concept in Dallas’ West Village, and Pancita, Janet Becerra's former pop-up that's a now-permanent spot in Seattle's Ravenna neighborhood. Read about them here:

Check out Una Vida in Dallas and Pancita in Seattle

27/11/2023

Sotol cocktails are among the hot trends listed in the National Restaurant Association's "What’s In Store 2024 Culinary Forecast” survey. Read about how bartender Alejandro Ordoñez of SOM restaurant in Mexico City is making creative cocktails using sotol and another Mexican spirit called pox from and and POX Siglo Cero. elrestaurante.com/blogs/industry-news/the-appeal-of-pox-and-sotol-som-restaurant-moves-beyond-tequ/

27/11/2023

Sotol cocktails are among the hot trends listed in the National Restaurant Association's "What’s In Store 2024 Culinary Forecast” survey. Read about how bartender Alejandro Ordoñez of SOM restaurant in Mexico City is making creative cocktails using sotol and another Mexican spirit called pox from Casa Dionisio and POX Siglo Cero.

“The best way to know Mexico is through its food and drinks,” says Isidoro Guindi who, along with Luis Vences, opened SOM restaurant in the Condesa neighborhood in Mexico City in September 2023.

24/11/2023

Last Chance! The Open Call for the 2024 James Beard Awards from the James Beard Foundation closes November 30. See details, including how to enter:

The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards recognizes exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts. The awards are open to independent restaurants that serve food and are open to the public (fine dining, casual, bars, bakeries, food truck

21/11/2023

What's going to be hot on restaurant menus in 2024? Mexican Dishes & Ingredients, according to the just-released “What’s In Store 2024 Culinary Forecast” from the National Restaurant Association! We have a list of the Mexican/Latin items foodservice professionals saw when they peered into their culinary crystal ball. See it at elrestaurante.com/blogs/industry-news/mexican-dishes-ingredients-hot-trends-for-2024/

20/11/2023

¡Buena Idea! Mexican restaurants around the country are doing so many creative things — we’ve decided to spotlight some of the best ones we find in our new ¡Buena Idea! feature that we’ll post every week at elrestaurante.com. First up: the Cocina Navidena Cooking Experience at Tortilla Jo's in Anaheim, California.
elrestaurante.com/blogs/industry-news/introducing-¡buena-idea/

¡Buena Idea!: Mexican restaurants around the country are doing so many creative things — we’ve decided to spotlight some of the best ones we find in our new ¡Buena Idea! feature that we’ll post every week at elrestaurante.com and highlight on our soc

18/11/2023

Yum! These Pineapple Habanero Wings make a great bar food, appetizer, or delivery item — especially during football season! Thanks to Performance Foodservice for the recipe! Find it at elrestaurante.com/recipes/appetizer/pineapple-habanero-wings/

Recipe for wings with a pineapple habanero glaze

17/11/2023

We have so many exciting new plans for 2024 — don't miss the 6 information-packed issues of el Restaurante, plus daily industry updates, contests, weekly recipes and more! Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/SubscribeRestaurante today!

16/11/2023

Learn from the "masters" in 2 Mexican cuisine cooking series from MasterClass: "Masa," taught by Masienda founder Jorge Gaviria, and "Gabriela Cámara Teaches Mexican Cooking." Find details at elrestaurante.com/blogs/industry-news/masterclass-debuts-new-masa-course/

MasterClass, the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world's best “teachers,” recently launched "Breakfast All Day," a 3-part original series from recipe creator and author Sohla El-Waylly. Among the lessons: Masa, taught by Masienda

15/11/2023

It's here — our final issue of the year! Meet the winners of our 2023 Salsa Contest sponsored by SAMMIC and the winners of our Manager of the Year contest sponsored by Jarritos; stories about brunch and cocktail garnishes; and our Buyer's Guide section full of company listings and products for your restaurant!
Thanks to Maya Del Sol in Oak Park, IL for the beautiful cover photo! Find the issue here: elrestaurante.com/novdec-2023-digital-edition?fbclid=IwAR2V4gvDp0O_TpRyuXj4_bbjJbxBxsH8ssYjGTHXAjXkudYogR9IoloJj9M

14/11/2023

It's the great turkey give-away at Cesar's Killer Margaritas in Chicago, where Owner Israel Sanchez has promised to give away 600 turkeys to needy area families on November 18. Read more about Sanchez's story here:

Israel Sanchez, owner of Cesar’s Killer Margaritas in Chicago, knows that a lot of families in his city don’t have the resources to celebrate Thanksgiving the traditional way. For years he thought about starting a turkey give-away to help them, but i

13/11/2023

How does a Mango Margarita garnished with chile-spiced dried mango from Chimango Snacks sound for your cocktail menu? We have the recipe, courtesy of Familia Kitchen, plus other great cocktail recipes! Find them at

Cocktail recipes from the pages of el Restaurante Mexicano magazine.

10/11/2023

In honor of Veterans Day, restaurant consultant (and veteran) Izzy Kharasch of Hospitality Works weighs in on how restaurants can benefit by recruiting and hiring those who have served. See what he has to say at elrestaurante.com/commentary-veterans-have-a-place-in-the-restaurant-business/

I am a veteran, proud to have served my country, and would do it again today if asked. Overall, I think my attitude is shared by my fellow veterans.

09/11/2023

We won! We're proud to announce that el Restaurante was honored with awards in three Business to Business (B2B) categories in the 2023 José Martí Awards sponsored by the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP). Thanks to all of our readers and advertisers who have made our success possible! Read more at elrestaurante.com/blogs/industry-news/and-the-winner-is…el-restaurante/

The staff of el Restaurante is proud to announce that the magazine was honored with awards in three Business to Business (B2B) categories in the 2023 José Martí Awards sponsored by the National Association of Hispanic Publishers (NAHP).

08/11/2023

Congratulations to Leoncito in Las Vegas and Fiesta Rosita Mexican Restaurant in Spring Grove, Minnesota — two restaurants that debuted this November. Read about each restaurant at

Read about new Mexican restaurant openings in Vegas and Minnesota

03/11/2023

Results from el Restaurante's exclusive 2023 Independent Mexican Restaurant Report are in. What are restaurants like Greengo's Caribbean Cantina, Henry J's Taco House, and Maya Mexican Restaurant saying about hiring challenges? Find out here

Finding and keeping good workers has been a serious challenge for restaurants for years, especially since Covid. However, a survey of readers of el Restaurante magazine in October showed that the problem may be easing somewhat. In 2022, 78 percent of

31/10/2023

Want to know which Mexican dessert and Mexican/Spanish-style breads (like those in this photo from CHICA) are trending on menus according to the Emerging Eats report from Technomic? Find out in the Industry News section at

A classic Mexican dessert and Mexican and Spanish-style breads are among the top 3rd quarter trends that Chicago-based Technomic highlighted in its Ignite Menu Trends: Emerging Eats report about noteworthy foodservice findings.

26/10/2023

Did you know that the Latino Restaurant Association offers a unique, virtual Business Bootcamp that teaches skills needed to become a strong restaurant owner? The deadline to register for the Fall Bootcamp is Nov 1. Find out more at elrestaurante.com/blogs/industry-news/deadline-approaching-for-lra’s-fall-business-bootcamp/

Did you recently open your restaurant? Are you ready to take your restaurant to the next level? If so, the Latino Restaurant Association’s (LRA’s) Business Bootcamp is ideal for you!

25/10/2023

Publisher Ed Avis is manning el Restaurante's booth in the Performance Foodservice's Contigo food section at the PFG FoodCentric 2023 event that kicked off today in Dallas.
Stop by and say hi if you're there.

24/10/2023

Put creativity on the menu with this Pan de Mu**to Breakfast Sandwich — perfect for your Dia de los Mu**tos celebrations!
Find the recipe (created by Ericka Sanchez of for at

Recipe for breakfast sandwich with eggs, pinto beans and queso fresco

23/10/2023

Congratulations to Chef Carolina Zubiate, the 1st Place Winner of the 2023 Hispanic Top Chef Competition sponsored by Hispanic Restaurant Association!
Read more about Chef Carolina, and about 2nd and 3rd place winners Chef Eva Barrios of JOEY Restaurants and Chef Rafael Zamora of La Fonda on the Plaza at

Peruvian-born Chef Carolina Zubiate was named 1st Place Winner of the Hispanic Restaurant Association’s (HRA’s) 2023 Hispanic Top Chef Competition held Oct. 12-14 at the Colorado State University Spur campus in Denver. Seven chefs selected from arou

21/10/2023

Introducing Pickled Jicama Salsa Verde, the First Place Winner in el Restaurante's 2023 Sassiest Salsa Contest sponsored by Sammic Global! Find the recipe by Chef James Lane of One World Catering at elrestaurante.com/recipes/salsa/pickled-jicama-verde-salsa


Photo by

And to get recipes in your inbox every week, send your email to [email protected].

Recipe for a salsa made with pickled jicama

20/10/2023

Congratulations to Chicago's Las Fuentes Lincoln Park and Chef Geno Bahena on the opening of Manchamanteles, Las Fuentes' sister restaurant in the city's Bucktown neighborhood. Find out more:

Congratulations to Chicago’s Las Fuentes on the debut of Manchamanteles Restaurant "La Casa de Sabores," which recently opened at 2009 N. Western Avenue in the city’s popular Bucktown neighborhood.

18/10/2023

Holiday catering events are being booked now. We have tips on creating menus, setting pricing, offering promotions, maximizing profits and more. Find information from experts at restaurants including Big Star Chicago, La Cazuela, El Toro Tex Mex Grill, La Puerta Azul, Los Chamacos Mexican Restaurant and La Puerta Azul, plus great products from , Sterno Products, Skorr Products and 21 Missions Agave.

Stories in English and Spanish! elrestaurante.com/catering-success-winter-2023-digital-supplement

18/10/2023

Want to know how to grow profit and expand without losing the initial essence of your restaurant? San Francisco's NopalitoSF has done just that by partnering with Local Kitchens! Find out how at elrestaurante.com/blogs/industry-news/san-fran’s-nopalito-expands-by-10x-with-local-kitchens-partn/

Grow your profit and expand without losing the initial essence of your restaurant. That was the challenge that Chef Gonzalo Guzmán, owner of Nopalito, a beloved San Francisco Mexican restaurant, solved by partnering with Local Kitchens, a “micro” foo

16/10/2023

Yum! Mexican Migas Skillet from is a great idea for breakfast and brunch menus! Find the recipe at elrestaurante.com/recipes/breakfast-recipes/mexican-migas-skillet/

And don't forget to sign up for our Recipe of the Week! Email [email protected] with the word 'Recipe' in the subject line to start getting a new recipe in your inbox every Saturday morning!

Recipe for a brunch dish made with scrambled eggs, red peppers and Chihuahua cheese

12/10/2023

Congratulations to Alta Baja Market in Santa Ana, California, (winner of the 2021 el Restaurante Independent Restaurant of the Year) on winning a $30,000 grant from Siete Family Foods Juntos Fund. Read owner Delilah Snell's story about the grant here:

Alta Baja Market in Santa Ana, California, winner of the el Restaurante Independent Restaurant of the Year in 2021, was awarded a $30,000 grant from Siete Foods Juntos Fund.

11/10/2023

Congratulations to The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio graduate James Lane of One World Catering, Angel Miranda of The Flying Taco Mexican Grill, and Christopher Morrill of Taco Shop — the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Winners in our 2023 Sassiest Salsa Contest sponsored by Sammic Global! And thanks to Chef Enrique Fleischmann of Sammic; Chef Dudley Nieto of Fat Rosie's Taco and Tequila Bar, and Chef Herve Guillard of the Institute of Culinary Education for serving as judges of the contest.

Read more and find the recipes at https://elrestaurante.com/blogs/industry-news/pickled-jicama-verde-salsa-wins-el-restaurante%E2%80%99s-2023-sassie/

el Restaurante is happy to announce the winning recipes from our 2013 Sassiest Salsa Contest, sponsored by Sammic, a manufacturer of restaurant food prep equipment including blenders for salsa.

11/10/2023

Congratulations to !

09/10/2023

Good luck to all of the chefs participating in the Hispanic Top Chef 2023 Competition in Denver Oct. 12-14, sponsored by the Hispanic Restaurant Association. See who's participating at

It’s almost here! The 2023 Hispanic Top Chef competition — sponsored by the Hispanic Restaurant Association (HRA) — is set for October 12-14 at CSU-SPUR, Colorado State University, in Denver. Tickets cost $35.

07/10/2023

Want an award-winning recipe for your restaurant? Here's one to try from REALCAMILKFOODSERVICE

Recipe for a pizza topped with tequila lime chicken, pickled onions and creme fraiche

05/10/2023

We have so many things in store…and we need your email to make sure we can deliver all of the news, special offers and more coming soon! Email your email address, with the subject line “Email,” to [email protected] today!

04/10/2023

Happy National Taco Day! What taco recipe is a customer favorite at your restaurant? Let us know and we'll share the info! And if you're looking for more great taco recipes, you can find them (along with great torta recipes, too) at elrestaurante.com/recipes/tortas

30/09/2023

Yum! Try these Birria Tacos from George Duran and Gayo Azul Cheese featured in this week's Recipe of the Week!

Recipe for birria tacos with cotija