Award Amount: $75k
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cuernavaca's Grill was founded by the Mendoza family in 2005 to bring flavors of their home in Mexico to their community in California. Today, Jackie and Nayomie, sister duo, are proud to have taken over the family business. They put their heart and soul into everything they do—from the food they make (like their famous Chiles Rellenos) to the events they host (like resume building workshops and fun album release parties, too!). We're so proud and honored to have gotten to know their story and learn more about their hard work.
"Preserving our Cultura through Authenticity and Sazon"
Award Amount: $50k
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cafe Calle is a specialty coffee shop that values sustainability practices and quality coffee. We admire their dedication to education, community initiatives, and making delicious coffee for more people to enjoy together. They're on a mission to share their love for coffee and sustainable practices as they grow their team, and we're excited to see all that they brew up!
"Our mission is to provide affordable quality coffee, while also highlighting producers, recognizing farm workers, and focusing on organizations and individuals that value sustainability."
Award Amount: $25k
Location: West Orange, NJ
Puras Paletas is based in West Orange, NJ, and specializes in delicious allergy-friendly paletas (popsicles). Using all natural and fresh ingredients, they're committed to sharing treats for more people to feel welcome and enjoy with friends and family! We admire their focus on bringing people together and bringing smiles to their faces, too. They've got big dreams for their community, and we cannot wait to see what's in store for their business.
"Our mission is to celebrate and share the rich, diverse flavors of Latino cuisine through our clean, artisanal paletas. We are committed to crafting allergy-friendly, authentic treats with wholesome ingredients that bring the vibrant essence of Latin culture to every bite, fostering connection and joy."
Award Amount: $25k
Location: Laredo, TX
Livi's Mexicue is owned and operated in our hometown, Laredo, TX! Livi's offers Texas-style BBQ with Mexican flavor. We admire the way that their incredible hospitality shines through everything they do, and we love how their Mexican BBQ brings people together around the table, too. We cannot wait to see what's next for Livi's!
"At Livi's Mexicue, our mission is to bring families together with the perfect blend of authentic Mexican flavors and Texas-style barbecue. We are dedicated to creating unforgettable dining experiences that turn every meal into a cherished memory."
Award Amount: $15k
Location: Lakewood, CA
Nostalgia Gorditas cooks delicious family recipes, passed down for generations! They specialize in making gorditas (a Mexican dish of fried, baked, or grilled dough pockets stuffed with a variety of ingredients) filled with guisados (a Mexican-style stew). They're on a mission to create a space that feels welcoming for everyone in their community to gather.
“At Nostalgia Gorditas, our mission is to bring the distinctive flavors and rich traditions of Northern Mexican cuisine to our community with love and authenticity. We are dedicated to recreating delicious, best quality dishes using fresh and traditional ingredients while cooking our family recipes passed down through generations."
Award Amount: $15k
Location: El Paso, TX
Suburb 21 specializes in traditional Mexican street food—like their delicious birria tacos! They're on a mission to bring the vibrant and authentic flavors of Mexican culture to their community in a convenient and accessible way. We love their commitment to family, community, and togetherness, and it's an honor to play a small part in their journey.
"At Suburb 21, our mission is to bring the vibrant and authentic flavors of Mexican culture to our community in a way that is both affordable and convenient. We strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone can experience the richness of Mexico’s culinary heritage, all while enjoying high-quality, delicious food that fits within their budget."
Award Amount: $15k
Location: Skokie, IL
Soul Good Coffee serves high-quality coffee and tea, along with rotating pastries + snacks! They're on a mission to build community, lift people up, and support non-profit organizations along the way. It's an honor to celebrate their amazing business, and we're excited to see their big dreams come to life!
"Simply put - our mission is to use the art of coffee to spread joy and love throughout our community. Soul Good was created to be an inspiring space for people to gather, give back, and refresh their soul over a cup of coffee."
Award Amount: $10k
Location: Kansas City, MO
Cafe Ollama brings cultura and pride to their delicious coffee! They've created a space for people to connect, gather in community, and enjoy specialty drinks inspired by their culture. Their tasty drinks and recipes are unique and heritage-inspired! We're delighted to have gotten to know their story.
"We created Ollama to have a safe space where we can connect, educate, share, and enjoy our Latino culture with the community."
Award Amount: $10k
Location: Taos, NM
Loteria Paleteria makes artisanal paletas (popsicles) with fresh fruit, Mexican street food, and other delicious treats. They strive to share an authentic taste of their culture so their community can gather and create warm memories gathered at the table. Their hard work and determination shines through everything they do. We're so excited to see everything they've got in store for the future!
"At Loteria Paleteria, we handcraft memories and serve tradition, blending ancestral recipes with vibrant Mexican flair to give life to delectable paletas and treats. Focusing on community, we illuminate the essence of our Mexican culture, fostering joy and creating lasting memories with every bite."
Award Amount: $10k
Location: Austin, TX
Family-owned and operated, Mom & Pops specializes in creating their own version of the popsicles (paletas) they grew up enjoying as children. Handcrafted in small batches with all natural ingredients right here in Austin, TX, their paletas come in delicious flavor varieties. With a commitment to integrity and family, Mom & Pops is a staple in the Austin community, and we're stoked to see them continue reaching more people!
"From the beginning, we wanted to prove that delicious treats don't have to be over sweetened or made with artificial ingredients. And, that healthy treats can be affordable and accessible, especially to traditionally disenfranchised neighborhoods."
Award Amount: $10k + $10k Community Choice
Location: Charlotte, NC
Dulce Dreams is a pop-up bakery on a mission to make people feel right at home. They share Mexican pastries (like their delicious and fluffy conchas!) for more people to enjoy. They aspire to continue sharing their recipes so that the foods of their heritage can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Dulce Dreams is also the recipient of our 2024 Siete Community Choice Award! Mil gracias to everyone who voted for this inspiring business. Your community, your choice!
"We strive to make people feel right at home and bring them back to their childhood with our Mexican pastries. While also teaching the community about our rich Mexican culture. We want the community to know what a concha is, just like they know what a cookie is."
Award Amount: $10k
Location: Austin, TX
The Cupcake Bar is on a mission to create celebratory moments that bring people together. From their interactive dessert catering services to their engaging virtual and in-person classes, they're creating a vibrant (and confetti-filled!) future for their community. We admire their positivity, dedication, and resilience throughout their journey, and we know they've got a bright and colorful future ahead!
"Our mission is to create happy moments that people look forward to and bring people together through celebrations."
Award Amount: $10k
Location: Springdale, AZ
Bites & Bowls is a family-owned eatery that creates unique dishes by combining classic flavors from their roots with a creative twist! They aim to create an environment that fosters community and respect while maintaining a commitment to giving back. They want to be a space for their community to gather and enjoy delicious breakfast (like their waffles!).
"Bites & Bowls exists to create unforgettable experiences for our customers by offering authentic and creative food so that we not only nourish their body but also their heart and mind."
Award Amount: $10k
Location: San Antonio, TX
Southwest Elixirs specializes in delicious and unique plant-based recipes and wellness elixirs. They're committed to building a community of acceptance, creativity, and authenticity. We admire the ways that they intentionally select their ingredients, prioritize wellness, and focus on customer experience, too!
"Our mission is to help others find healing. We believe in giving the body the nutrients it deserves, so we can feel our best and be our best. We want to share wellness with others so they can heal from the inside."
Award Amount: $10k
Location: Austin, TX
Que Sazón strives to bring community together by highlighting authentic flavors in every day meals. Offering authentic Mexican food that represents their heritage, while fostering community, they're known for their delicious chilaquiles and salsas at the Texas Farmers Market right here in Austin, TX!
"Our mission is to offer food that is authentic and represents our heritage while fostering community. As a first-generation Latinx business, we strive to bring our community together by embracing our "Mexicanidad" and hospitable traits. We want to showcase what we grew up eating and honor Doña Blanca's Mexican fondita and entrepreneurial spirit. Que Sazón is also focused on adapting dishes to vegan or vegetarian diets."