Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: 4 Must-Visit Mexican Restaurants in California
As Hispanic Heritage Month approaches (September 15 - October 15), Katalyst PR is proud to spotlight exceptional Latino chefs and restaurateurs who are elevating Mexican cuisine across California. These culinary leaders don't just create amazing dishes – they educate diners about bold flavors, honor their cultural heritage, and bring authentic regional traditions to life in their kitchens. From Michelin-honored establishments to beloved neighborhood gems, these four restaurants showcase the rich diversity of Mexican cuisine while celebrating the stories and traditions that make each dish meaningful.
The Rich History of Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican Cuisine in California
Hispanic Heritage Month, observed annually from September 15 to October 15, was established to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. The celebration begins on September 15th to commemorate the independence anniversaries of Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, with Mexico and Chile celebrating their independence days on September 16th and 18th, respectively.
Why These Chefs Matter During Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the profound impact Latino chefs have made on California's culinary landscape. These restaurateurs are not only preserving traditional cooking methods passed down through generations but also innovating within their cultural framework to create dining experiences that honor their heritage while appealing to contemporary palates. Their commitment to authentic Mexican restaurants and cultural education makes them essential voices during this important celebration.
Ramón Velázquez
Bringing Guadalajaran Traditions to Santa Barbara's Central Coast
Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Ramón Velázquez's culinary journey began in his family kitchen, learning traditional Mexican dishes alongside his mother and grandmother. This foundation in authentic Mexican cuisine would later become the cornerstone of his successful restaurant empire along California's Central Coast.
Corazón Hospitality Group: From Pop-Up to Michelin Recognition
After moving to Santa Barbara in 1989, Velázquez developed his culinary skills at local restaurants without formal training, honing his craft through hands-on experience while dreaming of opening a restaurant that celebrated Mexican cultural heritage. That dream materialized with the Corazón Cocina pop-up at the Santa Barbara Public Market, eventually growing into his hospitality group, Corazón, founded in 2016.
Today, Corazón has evolved into a collection of beloved concepts showcasing Hispanic Heritage Month dining at its finest. The group includes Corazón Cocina with three locations, Little Heart Cafecito, Alma Fonda Fina, Corazón Comedor, Cocina Jaguar, and Beast Taqueria. Each restaurant emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients and Mexico's diverse culinary heritage.
Where to Experience Authentic Mexican Cuisine
Velázquez's dedication to authenticity hasn't gone unnoticed. His talent has been recognized through appearances on Meghan Markle's Netflix series "With Love, Meghan" and the Cooking Channel's "Taco Trip with Chef Sanchez." Most notably, Corazón Cocina Santa Barbara received Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition in 2021 and continues to hold its place among California's most acclaimed Mexican restaurants celebrating Hispanic heritage.
Raul Casillas
Showcasing Mexico's Regional Diversity Through Award-Winning Tacos
Raul Casillas, the newly-appointed Creative Chef at Puesto, represents a new generation of Mexican American chefs bringing the beauty and diversity of Mexico's regional cuisines into the mainstream. Growing up in the border town of San Diego, spending time in San Ysidro, Mexicali, and Tijuana, Casillas developed his passion for cooking in his grandmother's kitchen over bubbling pots of refried beans and fresh tortillas on the plancha.
Puesto's Creative Approach to Mexican-American Cuisine
Having worked in established Michelin-starred kitchens including L'atelier in Las Vegas and Oceanside's Valle under 2025 James Beard Foundation Semifinalist Chef Roberto Alcocer, Casillas brings decades of experience to this Mexican-American and family-owned restaurant group. His background perfectly positions him to create Hispanic Heritage Month food celebrations that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Exploring Regional Mexican Flavors
At Puesto, Casillas showcases the nuances of Mexican culture and cuisine through menu items featuring ingredients and flavors from different regions throughout Mexico. Recent additions include the CDMX Ribeye Taco, and through Puesto's popular Taco of the Month program, he has introduced diners to regional specialties such as cochinita pibil from Yucatan and Ensenada-style pulpo, making Puesto one of the premier Latino chefs California restaurants for authentic regional experiences.
José Cepeda
Modern Oaxacan Cuisine at San Diego's Acclaimed Quixote
At the heart of the Lafayette Hotel—Esquire's Hotel of the Year for 2024—Chef José Cepeda oversees the moody Quixote restaurant, developing modern interpretations of Oaxacan cuisine that transport diners to the foothills of the Sierra Madre.
The Lafayette Hotel's Award-Winning Restaurant Experience
Born and raised in Tehuacán Puebla under the tutelage of his grandmother, a restaurateur with over three decades of experience, Cepeda graduated from culinary school with honors before moving to Los Angeles. There, he worked as kitchen manager at la Carmencita and eventually became Sous Chef at Mírame in Beverly Hills, building the foundation for his innovative approach to Mexican cuisine Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.
Quixote's design reflects monastic qualities with rough cobblestones, flickering Santa Maria candles, rich stained-glass windows, and baroque pews surrounding a pulpit-inspired bar. The atmospheric space perfectly complements Cepeda's sophisticated take on traditional Mexican cooking.
Heirloom Grains and Artisanal Moles
Cepeda's menu centers around heirloom grains and artisanal moles, paired with a unique cocktail program spotlighting mezcal and Mexican distillates. His dishes create a harmonious blend of cherished memories, formal training, and innovative spirit, establishing him as an LGBTQIA+ leader in the kitchen and beyond. Quixote represents one of the finest examples of Hispanic owned restaurants California has to offer.
Steven Torres
Community-Centered Mexican Traditions at Sweet & Savory Co.
Growing up in Calexico, a tight-knit border town in California's Imperial Valley, Steven Torres was immersed in rich Mexican culture, culinary traditions, and food-centered family gatherings. These experiences sparked his lifelong appreciation for food's power to connect people and communities.
From Corporate World to Culinary Mission
Driven by creating meaningful, community-centered food experiences, Torres left the corporate world to pursue hospitality. In 2016, he and his husband, Gan Suebsarakham, founded The Sweet & Savory Collective, demonstrating how Latino restaurateurs can successfully blend cultural heritage with innovative business concepts.
Honoring Family Heritage Through Food
The collective includes small-batch ice cream shop Stella Jean's Ice Cream and all-day pie shop Pop Pie Co., a neighborhood eatery dedicated to elevating comfort food through globally inspired, handmade pies. The name "Pop" pays tribute to Steven's father, honoring the grounding influence of family and tradition that continues to shape their culinary mission. Their approach to Hispanic Heritage Month dining emphasizes shared values of inclusion, resilience, and joy.
Plan Your Hispanic Heritage Month Dining Experience
These four exceptional chefs represent the incredible diversity of Mexican cuisine found throughout California. From Velázquez's traditional Guadalajaran techniques in Santa Barbara to Cepeda's modern Oaxacan interpretations in San Diego, each restaurant offers a unique window into Mexico's rich culinary heritage.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, consider experiencing these acclaimed establishments firsthand. Whether you're drawn to Michelin-recognized fine dining or community-focused neighborhood gems, these restaurants provide authentic connections to the flavors, stories, and traditions that make Mexican cuisine so beloved worldwide.
