Since 1968, Hispanic and Latin Heritage Month has been observed nationwide to honor the rich history, culture, and lasting impact of Hispanic and Latin Americans in the United States. Unlike most heritage months, it begins on September 15 and runs through October 15, A timeframe that commemorates the victory of independence of several Latin American countries in 1810.
As Real Salt Lake gears up to take on the Portland Timbers on Saturday, September 21, the club will host Hispanic and Latin Heritage Night. This celebration highlights the deep cultural roots and vibrant Hispanic and Latin community that plays a vital role in shaping life across the Beehive State. One of the most meaningful ways to engage with and support this community is by exploring its culture, especially through the many local Hispanic and Latin-owned businesses and restaurants across Utah. While the state is home to a wide range of these establishments, here are four standout spots that offer diverse products and experiences worth checking out. At the bottom of this article you can find a list of favorite restaurants compiled by RSL’s Hispanic and Latin players.
Established in 2000, Sabor Latino offers more than just a one-country cuisine, boasting a wide range of dishes from across Latin America including seafood, arepas, bandeja paisa and everything in between. Over the last two decades the restaurant has prided itself in providing high-quality and authentic food while also creating an enjoyable ambiance. With two locations at North Temple and State Street, Sabor Latino also offers online ordering and delivery, bringing the flavor of Latin America to your doorstep.
Bandeja Paisa, one of the most popular dishes at Sabro Latino, holds significant cultural weight as a symbol of the Antioquia region and Colombian identity, representing the region's rich agricultural heritage and the hardworking spirit of its people
Founder and Brewer Javier Chávez Jr. began his beer company in an effort to brew an artisanal beer that would pair well with his family’s Mexican food. Since 2017, Chávez Jr. and Cerveza Zólupez Beer Company have brewed unique and fun specialty cervezas, including flavors like mango, cinnamon/cane sugar, and lime/agave. The brewery is located in Ogden but you can find Zólupez beers in several restaurants, bars, and grocery stores in the Salt Lake area.
Beer has a rich history in Mexico, dating back to the Pre-Columbian era when Indigenous cultures in Mexico fermented corn-based beverages and beverages like pulque from agave plants long before the Spanish arrived. It can also signify Independence and growth as restrictions on alcohol production were lifted once Mexico gained its independence in 1810.
This latino-operated grocery store specializes in cuisine staples like carne asada, freshly made on-site flour and corn tortillas, and churros. Since 2006 Rancho Markets has valued its customers by offering fresh and quality products for you to enjoy your own home-cooked meals. Rancho Markets has ten locations from Provo to Ogden and also offers an app for members to access exclusive prices.
Latin and Mexican foods hold profound cultural significance, acting as vehicles for expressing family identity, community connection, and historical heritage. Food is a tangible link to ancestors, a celebration of regional diversity, and a universal language of love, unity, and nourishment, as seen in traditions like the Day of the Dead, which uses food to honor loved ones and preserve cultural memory. Rancho Markets make finding anything you may need for a Latin and Mexican dish simple and affordable.
Mexican American artists Miguel Galaz, Alan Ochoa, and Luis Novoa create vibrant murals that allow Utahns to learn about the various latin cultures that enrich the Beehive state. Created in 2015, Roots Art Kollective has created murals to redefine cultural space through the use of nature, patterns, and calligraphy.
Mexican street art is an important cultural form rooted in Mexican Muralism, which is a movement that began after the revolution to foster national identity, educate the public, and promote social ideologies through accessible public murals. Today's street art continues this tradition by providing social commentary, celebrating culture and identity, and sparking public dialogue, making art a part of everyday life for all people rather than a confined, elitist pursuit.
Roots Art Kollective allows for a bright and beautiful way to learn about the Mexican and Latin cultures that make up so much of Utah. To learn more about the group, donate, or see photos of previous murals, you can visit the group at their instagram page @therak.murals
