Mex/Lat Restaurants Participate in "Day Without Immigrants"

As President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown started to unfold, members of the restaurant industry throughout the country expressed outrage and fear about what the raids would do to their employees, their families, and their businesses as a whole. Read More

Tips to Prepare for ICE Raids

President-elect Donald Trump has threatened mass deportations, which may mean that your restaurant will be visited by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. What should you do to prepare? Read More

2025 Mexican Multi-Unit Report: Redesigns Help Attract New Customers

For better or for worse, chain restaurants are how most people in the United States experience Mexican food. The 50 largest Mexican restaurant chains have a total of nearly 15,000 locations, so it’s no surprise that most American consumers are more accustomed to fast-food burritos than authentic enchiladas mole! Read More

73 Mex/Lat Chefs, Restaurants Named James Beard Semi-finalists

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards. To celebrate that milestone and to recognize the continuously evolving independent restaurant landscape, the Restaurant and Chef Awards — which celebrate excellence across all types of dining experiences — have introduced three new categories focused on beverages: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. Read More

Six Amazing Latin Desserts from the el Restaurante Archives

Looking for new desserts to sweeten your menu? These favorites from the el Restaurante archives are a good place to start! Desserts make your customers happy and fatten the checks, so make sure you offer a tempting selection of them. Read More

Simply Agave Offers Free Case

Agave nectar is an essential part of many margarita recipes, so saving money on the product can really add to your bottom line. With that in mind, a special offer from agave supplier Simply Agave is definitely worth considering. If you order one case of agave nectar from them, they’ll send you a second case for free. This offer will save you some money and give you a chance to try a Gold Medal winning agave nectar. Simply Agave is available in most states through RNDC. Just click here to grab your free case of agave.  Read More

Q&A with Luis Cárdenas Barona: The Word 'Sommelier' Deserves Respect

Luis Cárdenas Barona is a pillar in the world of sommeliers in Mexico. Our representative in Mexico City, Alfredo Espinola, interviewed him about the world of Mexican sommeliers. Read More

Mexican Restaurant Industry Loses Culinary Pioneer

el Restaurante extends condolences to the family and friends of Socorro Herrera, founder of Yuca’s Restaurant, who passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Dec. 23, 2024. Herrera started Yuca’s in a small hut on Hillhurst Avenue in Los Feliz, California in 1976 and opened a second location in Pasadena in 2017. Read More

Different Geography, Different Mexican Food: A Conversation with Raul Luis

Mexican cuisine evolves as cooks and chefs use the ingredients they have on hand. Raul Luis experienced this when he opened a location of his family’s restaurant, Birrieria Chalío in Ft. Worth, Texas. The family has three locations in Los Angeles. In this conversation with el Restaurante Publisher Ed Avis, edited for clarity and length, Luis describes how his menu have evolved based on his geography and where his employees are from. Read More

LRA Seeks Meeting w/ Border Czar

The Latino Restaurant Association (LRA), along with regional partners representing thousands of restaurants, is calling for a meeting with Thomas D. Honan, President Trump’s appointed “Border Czar,” to discuss immigration policies. Read More

Mex Wine, Food Orgs Ink Pact

The Mexican restaurant association (CANIRAC) and the Mexican Wine Council (CMV) reaffirmed their commitment to the promotion of Mexican gastronomy and wine. Read More

Restaurants Care Commits $100K to LA Hospitality Workers

Restaurants Care has committed $100,000 to support food and beverage workers affected by the fires in Los Angeles. Read More

Q&A: After 70 Years, El Nopal is Still the Chili Verde King

In 2025, El Nopal Restaurant, pioneer of the well-known green chili of Pueblo, Colorado, is marking a major birthday. el Restaurante writer Natalia Otero spoke with the current owner, George Torres, grandson of founder Rosa Torres.  Read More

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!  Read More

El Pollo Loco Celebrating 50 Years with Deals, Donations

El Pollo Loco, founded in Sinaloa, Mexico in 1975, is celebrating its 50^th anniversary with a year-long celebration. The chain is starting the fun with Loco Friday Drops, which are deals and giveaways announced on Fridays to Loco Rewards Members. Read More

Our First Issue of 2025 is Available!

Good news, the January/February issue of el Restaurante magazine is now available! This issue includes articles on how to make your plating truly stand out, the benefits of hiring interns in your restaurant, making cocktails with Damiana liqueur, our 12th annual Mexican Chain Report, and much more.  Read More