“We are very proud of our heritage and very proud of our food and very proud of our culture.” Lucy Cardenas, owner of Red Iguana, says those words thoughtfully, not as a rehearsed sentiment, but as the clearest explanation of what has driven her family for generations. Long before Red Iguana became one of Salt Lake City’s most beloved restaurants, before the pink walls, the legendary moles, the lines out the door, and the national attention, there was simply a Mexican family trying to build a life through food.

“I still remember the moment I realized that food had the power to bring people back to their childhood,” Jorge Galvez told me, seated at a corner table at Sol Agave in downtown Salt Lake City. “Someone took a bite and said it reminded them of their grandmother’s cooking. That’s when I knew - this was bigger than just a restaurant.”

“The devil is in the details but that is also where the magic happens. I believe if you marry food, service, and music just right, people can feel the love in the space.” Loren Bell, owner of Contento Cafe, never imagined that grief would be the bridge to his dream.

“When you do what you love, it’s no longer a job. This restaurant, this food, it’s my story, my memories, my family. Every dish has a piece of my past in it.”

"So, tea is my happy place, admits Ripple Desai, owner of Tandoori Taqueria in the Maven District. Every time you walk into my parents' home, my dad asks, 'Do you want tea?' And tea in our house is a cup of hot Indian chai.

“Alan Galeano is the kind of person everyone should have in their life,” says Jonas Piraquive, co-owner, and manager of Mi Buena Vida. Jonas and Alan's shared vision goes beyond delicious food - creating a space where customers feel at home, and employees are valued. It is, therefore, not surprising that this vibrant Mexican restaurant quickly became a community favorite in Salt Lake City since its opening in December 2022.