Monterey County is home to a large community of diverse, family-owned businesses, including many Hispanic-owned businesses. In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the generations of Hispanic Americans who have influenced and enriched our society, we have highlighted a few of the many amazing Hispanic-owned businesses here in Monterey County!
Restaurants
Alejandro’s (Monterey): This Monterey restaurant puts a contemporary spin on Mexican cuisine, with dishes inspired by Oaxaca and other regional traditions. Look for house-made tortillas, mole, tacos, seafood, and creative takes on classic Mexican ingredients. The chef is from Oaxaca.
Aquino’s Birrieria (Pacific Grove): This Pacific Grove restaurant specializes in birria, with birria tacos, quesabirria, burritos, and birria ramen alongside classic Mexican favorites. Aquino’s also serves breakfast and brunch, including an Oaxaca-inspired omelet. The owners emigrated from Oaxaca.
Cultura Carmel (Carmel-by-the-Sea): "Cultura’s cooking is inspired by the cuisine of Mexico, with particular attention paid to the region of Oaxaca. It might not be the right place to take abuela for an authentic taste of home, but the food is very good. Tucked among shops in a courtyard away from the street, the dining room resembles a Mexican taberna, lined with deep red booths, coffered ceilings, and wrought-iron accents. On fair nights, dine alfresco around the courtyard’s fire pits. Try the house-made Cultura mole with smoked pork, served with freshly made tortillas and lightly pickled vegetable slaw for assemble-your-own tacos. Save room for desserts like the dense and dark Oaxacan chocolate brownie with a touch of chili and cinnamon cloaked in ganache." - MICHELIN GUIDE
Culturas Hidalgo & Oaxaca Restaurant (Salinas): Local favorite restaurant specializing in Mexican cuisine from the regions of Hidalgo and Oaxaca
El Cantaro (Monterey): Vegan, health-conscious Mexican restaurant featuring Oaxacan specialties, including memelitas and tlayudas.
El Charrito (Salinas, Marina & Monterey): A family-owned business known for hand-stretched flour tortillas and traditional Mexican cooking techniques that serve the community.
La Tortuga (Seaside): "Since 1999, we have been a beloved and enduring fixture in the seaside community, serving as a cherished family staple of Oaxacan cuisine. Known for our commitment to authenticity, we have established ourselves as a trusted and dependable destination for traditional culinary delights." - La Tortuga
Restaurant San Pedro (Castroville): A no-frills restaurant serving delicious, authentic Oaxacan food. Highlights include tlayudas, quesadillas de quesillo (a cheese unique to Oaxaca), and menudo.
Sarita's Mexican Grill Restaurants (Marina, Seaside, Monterey): Sarita’s Mexican Grill has been serving homemade, authentic Mexican food since 1982, bringing classic flavors and time-honored recipes to Monterey County.
Villa Azteca (Salinas): Chef Susana blends her vision and passion for traditional Mexican food with an innovative twist to ensure every guest has an amazing experience. Don’t forget to check out their signature cocktail menu and try out their Paloma flight!
More Restaurants
Cocina Yatzeche (Seaside): A hidden gem best known to Seaside locals. Oaxacan cuisine features homemade tortillas, memelitas, tlayudas, and hard-to-find authentic beverages like tejate (a maize and cacao beverage traditionally made in Oaxaca, originating in pre-Hispanic times) and chilacayote (a refreshing candied-squash water drink).
Cocuyo’s Restaurant (Soledad): This welcoming Soledad restaurant serves traditional Mexican favorites, from tacos made with homemade tortillas and hearty burritos to enchiladas, chile rellenos, and sizzling fajitas. The menu also features seafood dishes, soups, and regional specialties, with vegetarian options available. Enjoy a casual meal indoors or outside on the patio.
Mando’s Restaurant (Monterey): Chef Mando brings the flavors of his native Oaxaca to this Monterey restaurant, serving traditional Mexican dishes that highlight southern Mexico's rich regional flavors and ingredients.
Mariscos Puerto Angel (Soledad): Seafood lovers can head to Mariscos Puerto Angel for Mexican-style seafood, including ceviches, aguachiles, seafood cocktails, tostadas, shrimp, and whole fried fish. The menu also includes classic Mexican dishes, making it a South Monterey County stop for both mariscos and traditional favorites.
Nicolas Cocina de Herencia (Carmel-by-the-Sea): Sister restaurant to Villa Azteca, this restaurant has an elevated take on modern Mexican cuisine.
Tacos La Potranca de Jalisco (King City): A longtime King City favorite, Tacos La Potranca de Jalisco serves classic Mexican favorites including tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, and sopes. Choose from fillings like carne asada, carnitas, pollo, cabeza, tripas, and lengua, with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes at the heart of the menu. The restaurant has been a King City staple for more than two decades and was named the city’s Business of the Year in 2018.
Taquería Pacheco (Soledad): A longtime Soledad favorite tucked inside La Placita Mercado, Taquería Pacheco has been serving classic Mexican dishes from the same Front Street location for more than 15 years. Owner Jorge Pacheco serves up homemade favorites, including tacos, burritos, tortas, and fresh tortillas.
Panaderias
Angelina’s Bakery (Seaside): Looking for a last-minute cake for an event? Serving baked goods since 1998, Angelina’s Bakery has got you covered! They offer custom-made pastries and cakes, especially for parties and events. From 3 or 4 leches cake to eclairs and napoleons, they have something for everyone!
La Plaza Bakery (East Salinas, West Salinas & King City): La Plaza Bakery has grown from a single Salinas Valley bakery into a local institution, serving freshly baked Mexican breads alongside breakfast, burritos, and tortas. Stop in early for bolillos and pan dulce, or grab something savory from the griddle.
Lupita’s Bakery (Seaside): With deep roots in family tradition from San Pablo, Oaxaca, Mexico, the Morales family has passed recipes down through generations. Family-owned, the Morales brothers keep their mother's legacy going by providing quality bread and pastries for the community.
Panaderia Ortega (Salinas): Stop by this neighborhood bakery for fresh Mexican pan dulce, including its popular conchas, plus cakes and other sweet treats. With bread baked fresh daily, it’s a local favorite for breakfast, a snack, or a special celebration.
JMiss Reposteria (Soledad): JMiss Reposteria reimagines traditional Mexican pan dulce with a fresh, creative take on beloved sweet breads. Its freshly baked conchas have even found their way into inventive desserts at Monterey’s Scoops Ice Cream Parlor, where they’re used to make warm, pressed ice cream sandwiches
More Panaderias
Emma's Bakery and Cafe (Salinas): This bakery and cafe serves mouthwatering dishes made with the highest-quality ingredients available. Try their breakfast and lunch items, then finish with handmade fruit pies, cream pies, or pastries.
Casa Oaxaca Bakery (Salinas): Mexican bakery specializing in traditional Oaxacan recipes, including pan de yema (a Day of the Dead bread from Oaxaca)
Guadalajara Bakery (Salinas): A Salinas family tradition since 1984, Guadalajara Bakery specializes in traditional Mexican breads and pastries. Pick up pan dulce, cakes, and other freshly baked treats made from recipes and techniques passed down through the family.
Panaderia Acambaritas (Salinas): This family-owned Salinas bakery specializes in pan de Acámbaro, a distinctive Mexican bread connected to the owners’ hometown in Guanajuato. The bakery uses family recipes passed down through generations and also makes Mexican favorites such as conchas and bolillos.
Panaderia Tres Hermanos (Salinas): A longtime Salinas bakery known for its wide selection of Mexican pan dulce, Panaderia Tres Hermanos also makes cakes, tamales, tortas, and other favorites. Several locations serve the community, with fresh bread baked throughout the day.
Zimatlan Bakery (Seaside): "Family-owned bakery with baking tradition passed on from father to son through decades of experience, with the aim to serve our community delicious Oaxacan cuisine, Mexican bread, and custom-made cakes." - Zimatlan Bakery & Deli
Wineries & Breweries
Corral Wine Co. (Carmel Valley): Visit this family-owned and operated winery in Corral De Tierra and enjoy a glass of Pinot Noir at its Carmel Valley tasting room.
Lepe Cellars Tasting Room (Carmel-by-the-Sea): Stemming from passion and dedication, Lepe Cellars offers organic, vegan, and sustainable wine. The tasting room is in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and the wine is available at locations around the area, including Alvarado Bistro and Rio Grill in Carmel, Stokes Adobe in Monterey, and Village Wine and Tap Room in Carmel Valley.
Food Trucks & Casual Dining
El Volcan (Salinas): This Salinas food truck serves Mexican street-food favorites, including tacos, quesadillas, tortas, and burritos, plus specialties like its namesake Volcan fries and Mexican-style hot dogs.
Double Dz Birrieria (Salinas): This Salinas food truck serves birria-focused Mexican street food, including tacos and other casual Mexican favorites. It’s a local option for enjoying rich, slow-cooked birria on the go.
La Tequita Istmeña (Soledad): "Established in 2021, La Tequita Itsmeña food truck was created to give an outlet to the authentic flavors and unique style from Oaxaca, Mexico. One family couldn’t help but notice that in an area with many people of Oaxacan background, few places served flavors from the indigenous region. They decided to start a food truck to showcase their mother's delicious recipes, which she's been cooking since childhood. Today, an entire community is enjoying the delicious cuisine they know and love with a diverse style that makes it stand out amongst the rest." - La Tequita Istmeña
Lonchera La Paloma (Salinas): A longtime Salinas food truck, Lonchera La Paloma serves Mexican favorites and has become part of a local family food-business story. The business also inspired Palomas Cafecito, a North Salinas coffee shop opened by the owners’ daughter.
Mariscos El Compita (Salinas): Seafood takes center stage at Mariscos El Compita, a Salinas cevichería known for Mexican-style seafood dishes including ceviche, aguachile, tostadas, and seafood platters.
Sabor Latin Fusion (Salinas): Sabor Latin Fusion brings a modern twist to Mexican street food, with handmade and street-style tacos, birria, quesabirria, and Baja-inspired seafood tacos. The Salinas food truck also offers creative combinations like surf-and-turf tacos and loaded fries.
Tacos Pacheco (Salinas): This Salinas taqueria serves Mexican favorites including tacos, burritos, and carne asada, making it a casual stop for classic, satisfying Mexican fare.
Taco’n Madre y Sazon (Salinas): Taco’n Madre y Sazon brings Mexican street-food favorites to Salinas, with tacos, carne asada, and other Mexican comfort-food staples. The local business also offers catering, so you can enjoy its flavors beyond the food truck.
Veloz Cafe (Soledad): Bringing independent coffee culture to South Monterey County, Veloz Cafe is a locally operated coffee business parked outside the Grocery Outlet shopping center. Run by a young entrepreneur, it offers a neighborhood alternative to the region’s larger coffee chains.
Coffee
Veloz Cafe (Soledad): Bringing independent coffee culture to South Monterey County, Veloz Cafe is a locally operated coffee business parked outside the Grocery Outlet shopping center. Run by a young entrepreneur, it offers a neighborhood alternative to the region’s larger coffee chains.
Ice Cream
Paletas La Reina (Soledad): Cool off with Mexican-style paletas and a variety of antojitos. From fruity frozen treats to flavorful bites, Paletas La Reina offers a casual stop for satisfying sweet and savory cravings.
Markets
La Preciosa Family Market (Seaside): Get fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients for lunch or dinner.
La Oaxaqueña Inc. (Seaside): "La Oaxaqueña Inc. was born in April 2015 in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico. The main objective is to provide the Oaxacan community in the United States with high-quality products at fair prices, but also to create a gateway for the Latin American and American market towards Oaxacan culture." - La Oaxaqueña
Have a favorite Hispanic-owned business that isn't listed? Please share their details by emailing [email protected].
