L.A. based Chile Verde Mexican Restaurants celebrate 25 years of culinary legacy

Chile Verde Mexican Restaurants, a family-owned business serving up Mexican food in Los Angeles, just celebrated their 25th anniversary.

What started in 1999 as a single taqueria by two brothers has now grown to nine locations across L.A., each still run by the Bahena family. Their menu has classic street-style Mexican food featuring fajitas, tacos, burritos, their grandmother passed-down chile verde sauce and much more. 

Chile verde sauce, one of the most popular sauces at Mexican restaurants, was a key reason they chose to name their restaurant after it. Jose and Israel Bahena knew they had a truly special recipe, passed down from their grandmother, which made the decision even more meaningful.

They understood that owning a restaurant meant creating something authentic to their cultural roots, crafting their own recipes to reflect their heritage.

But when the Bahena brothers were teenagers, their journey began like that of many first-generation immigrants who came to the United States seeking a better life, driven by the aspiration to one day achieve the American Dream. 

Before becoming successful business owners, the brothers worked in restaurants as cooks and servers. With a deep understanding of the industry, they both dreamed of turning their passion into a reality by starting their own restaurant.

They didn’t start their own restaurant with a large financial backing like many restaurateurs.“A lot of people start their businesses because they have a lot of money or because they have a degree in business and for us, it was just a dream,” Israel told CALÓ News. “We didn't really have much money or knowledge, but we had a big dream.”

The Bahena brothers were raised by their single mother, who unfortunately passed away a year before they opened their first restaurant. Israel acknowledged that this was one of the many life lessons he just had to push through. 

Along with becoming restaurant owners, the Bahena brothers have stumbled upon a couple of more challenges, especially when the pandemic happened in 2020. “The world keeps changing, so it seems like lately, it's been more of a challenge to be in business,” Israel said. 

As first-time business owners, they found themselves in a similar situation to that of many first-generation immigrants—unsure of where to seek help or who to call when faced with problems like plumbing issues or anything else that came up. “The rewards and the dream of having your own business have overcome and overshadowed anything and everything that we have been challenged and faced through the years,” he said.

Just this month, the Bahena brothers accomplished 25 years of legacy. Israel told CALÓ News that they truly believe that they are living the American Dream. “For us to be in business for this long is just a dream; it's a dream come true. It's a true blessing,” he said.

For those living in or around L.A., Israel suggests trying one of his favorite dishes: the wet chile verde burrito. “When I see a wet burrito, my mouth waters a little,” he said. “It’s really good.” Israel shared that his deep appreciation for the dish comes from growing up with limited food, which makes him truly savor the restaurant meals he enjoys today.

Israel offered some advice to other Latinos aspiring to become restaurant owners: "I would tell anyone that most people in business or with experience are willing to help others, so don’t be afraid to reach out for support. I truly believe in my heart that I always try to tell others the best advice that I can share and people just need to start believing in their dreams and start wherever they're at. Never wait until you’re completely ready, because you're never going to be completely ready. So believe in yourselves, believe in your dreams, and just do it with good energy, good advice and a good attitude.That's all you really need.”