BOBBY SALAZAR'S MEXICAN FOODS
If you’ve got to have salsa—or Mexican food, for that matter—it’s got to be Bobby’s. Established in 1990, Bobby Salazar’s Mexican Foods, which consists of restaurants, retail, and food services, is one of a handful of branches that carry on the Salazar family’s legacy and recipes, both of which are many generations old. “Bobby Salazar comes from a long family history of putting smiles on the faces of people with its quality, authentic Mexican food, its friendly employees, and, of course, the loyal customers who have made it all possible,” Bobby Salazar, president and namesake of Bobby Salazar’s Mexican Foods, speaks about its legacy.
The name is highly recognized for its affiliation with serving Mexican food to the San Joaquin Valley and beyond, for decades. The restaurant business is in the Salazar’s blood. “The Bobby Salazar restaurants are all my brand,” explains Bobby. “My youngest brother has his own brand. The restaurant in Selma is still going strong, and it is run by my other brother and sister. My sister is very active in the California Restaurant Association. We all operate independently, but we are all inspired by what we learned growing up.”
This restaurant-based Mexican food company has roots that go back to the 1940s with Bobby’s father and grandparents, who used to make lunch for local farm workers. “My dad and grandparents built a restaurant next door to their home in Selma, California in 1942,” recalls Bobby. “I was raised in the kitchen of that restaurant. At the age of eight, and as the oldest of four children, I began working in the kitchen as a dishwasher. I learned everything about the business, and at the age of 27, I branched off on my own and opened Bobby Salazar’s restaurants.” The location once at Blackstone and Shields Avenues in Fresno was the first.
At its peak, Bobby operated eight restaurants and numerous deli franchises in mini marts. “Then, in 1998, my salsa was available in local supermarkets. The salsa was available in different flavors and degrees of heat to please everyone’s palate,” Bobby explains about his original recipe. Bobby Salazar’s retail salsa is sold in major chain grocery stores across California and Reno, along with smaller independent markets from Oregon to San Diego, with new stores added daily. “I get emails from people throughout California, Hawaii, Texas, Arizona, and other places where we sell the salsa in grocery stores…people with no connection to Fresno, mind you, who just can’t get enough of it. That’s the biggest compliment ever.”
Initially, Bobby Salazar’s gained fame for their Mexican food and beloved salsas. “Then we became known for our famous party trays that I developed, which include burritos, quesadillas, and taquitos,” he shares. “Our customers love our frozen and hand-shaken margaritas.” The Tower District location, which houses 16 TVs, is one of the best places for sports fans to watch their favorite teams playing. As far as nightlife is concerned, it’s the place to be for good music, dancing, and having a good time. “People associate the Bobby’s brand with good times, and I love that,” cherishes Bobby. “That’s exactly what I’ve been aiming for since the beginning, and it’s what I learned from my parents. You don’t just make the customer happy—you make their day better.”
“There are currently five Bobby Salazar’s restaurants in Fresno and Clovis, but I personally own and operate two,” he says, referring to the Tower District and Shaw and Valentine locations in Fresno. “The other three are owned by trusted franchisees who are also dedicated to the same family traditions that inspired me. My food is also available in
mini-marts in Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, and Tehachapi.” Bobby is dedicated to sharing and maintaining the authenticity he grew up with. “I am humbled when someone tells me that my food reminds them of their mother’s or grandmother’s dishes,” he says. With restaurant dining, party trays, bulk foods, and salsas, Bobby Salazar’s Mexican Foods will continue to make any day a fiesta.
www.bobbysalazar.com | 725 East Olive Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728 | 559.497.9920
