Each year, September 15 to October 15 marks National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. Within the span of 30 days, there are many opportunities to bring your teams together, show inclusivity to your Hispanic and Latinx employees, and support local businesses. And nothing brings people together quite like delicious food.
Food is one of the best ways for employees to celebrate various cultures in the workplace, and the prominent Hispanic population in the United States makes it easy to find authentic options that everyone can enjoy. Whether you’re catering an in-office lunch or preparing for a company-wide event, including meals from Latinx-owned restaurants that specialize in foods from South America, Central America, Mexico, Spain, and the Spanish Caribbean will put everyone in a celebratory mood.
To kick things off, we reached out to three Hispanic-owned restaurants featured on ezCater to learn how they got their start, how their food relates to their Hispanic heritage, and the best way people can support local businesses like theirs this month and all year long.
Maize Tacos
In 2015, Maize Tacos was a modest little pop-up stand, selling aguas frescas and other Mexican snacks, at a local farmer’s market in Salt Lake City. By 2022, they had opened two restaurant locations and were hitting the streets with their three food trucks.
Maize Tacos is an authentic taqueria. Founder Brian Noguera makes handmade corn tortillas just like his grandmother did at home. With each dish he serves, he shares a deep connection to his Hispanic heritage. “Food brings people together,” he said. “We love sharing a bit of our culture through our food.”
Food has played a major role in Brian’s life, both personally and professionally. Although he graduated college with a degree in Sports Science, the siren call of cuisine lured him away, impacting his life in a big way and giving him a new drive and new perspective.
Today, the future feels brighter than ever as Brian looks to expand Maize Tacos to 5–10 new retail spots over the next several years. From his perspective, there are easy ways to support Hispanic-owned businesses like his all year round — and even a little support can go a long way.
“It takes zero money to share through word of mouth or social media, to hit the like button and share the profile with friends, family and colleagues,” he said. “You can support through engagement and sharing the brand to others. Every little effort helps a small local Hispanic-owned business thrive.”
The Sandwich Shop
Although they may have a tiny storefront in the heart of Williamsburg, The Sandwich Shop still manages to serve up to 60,000 sandwiches a year to hungry New Yorkers, in addition to a full schedule of corporate catering. What’s even more impressive is that they manage to do all this while making everything from scratch using gourmet techniques taught by their executive chef who trained at the French Culinary Institute.
“I’m Venezuelan American and we serve sandwiches from 13 countries around the world, mostly from Latin America. It’s really fun to blend high French cooking techniques behind the scenes with Latin cuisine and homestyle preparation,” owner Andy Perez-Benzo said. “I think it’s what makes our meats so rich and savory.”
As delicious as it is, it’s not only about the food for The Sandwich Shop. Andy added that it has been deeply rewarding to be the financial support for his employees and their families, particularly during the course of the pandemic. Supporting a restaurant like The Sandwich Shop is as simple as remembering to buy local and eat global.
“We love that people can get a taste of Venezuela, Cuba, Argentina, Mexico and many other Latin countries from our sandwiches. When you order from us, you’re directly supporting a vibrant part of the Hispanic community in New York, from my own family to the families of my employees in the kitchen, at the counter, and some of our delivery drivers as well!”
Fernandez The Bull Cuban Cafe
Fernandez The Bull Cuban Cafe is truly a family affair. Founded in 1985 by Luis “The Bull” Fernandez and his wife Raquel, the restaurant has been a beloved staple in Naples, FL for over three decades. The business is now being run by nephew Lazaro Figuero, who took over after gaining extensive experience in all facets of the restaurant.
“Maybe it’s the longing for our homeland, but our family remains tightly knit. When we’re not at the restaurant, we typically engage in family gatherings that frequently involve preparing and savoring traditional Cuban dishes from cherished recipes passed down through generations,” he said.
When he is at the restaurant, Lazaro remains faithful to those original recipes, preserving a long line of family tradition. However, the restaurant also embraces evolution by introducing new elements and subtle twists to their dishes.
“Cuban cuisine boasts an abundance of flavors, deriving its richness not only from a blend of aromatic spices but also from a fusion of diverse cultural influences. While the exotic spices of Cuba and Latin America take center stage, our culinary offerings bear the unmistakable imprint of American influences cultivated over many years in the United States,” he said.
Lazaro added that supporting local, Hispanic-owned businesses is essential for fostering economic growth, cultural diversity, and community strength.
“Shop local, spread the word, leave positive online reviews, engage on social media, buy gift cards, and join loyalty programs,” he said. “By actively participating in our success, you contribute to the vibrancy and resilience of your local community.”
Lend your own support by catering your next business meeting with a delicious spread from a local Hispanic-owned restaurant. Get started today by logging onto ezCater.