Real Mex Foods is deeply rooted in early California Restaurant traditions. El Torito restaurants began in 1954 and Acapulco Restaurants developed around 1960. The chefs at both concepts have handed down the authentic approaches to culinary creativity from generation to generation. As these restaurants grew in number, it became necessary to be able to execute the cuisine in the same way from unit to unit, so both companies developed their own commissaries. The focus of the commissaries was not only maintain consistency but to also maintain the authentic approach to the cuisine. Rather than losing control of this to an outside manufacturing company, both chains maintained their own commissaries.

Acapulco eventually added a Los Arcos group of Restaurants, then developed a commissary and distribution center in Pasadena in the late 70’s, calling this ALA Foods Distributing (short for Acapulco Los Arcos). In 1988, Acapulco moved the manufacturing, tortillaria and distribution center to Santa Fe Springs, California. During the 90’s, Acapulco restaurants grew to 90 units and the new commissary flourished.

Acapulco purchased the 95-unit chain of El Torito Restaurants in 2000 and merged their manufacturing and distribution needs. The name changed from ALA to Real Mex Foods in 2003. 2004 brought major changes to Real Mex Foods as we moved Distribution to a new center in Buena Park and acquired Chevys, then bringing their distribution needs into the fold. Real Mex Foods also launched their own branded retail product into the marketplace with authentic enchiladas, burritos and tamales.

The commissary operation is very flexible in developing products for Chef Specials and other promotions. The size of the operation combined with our restaurant knowledge helps develop and rotate products for promotions and specials frequently. We currently support menu events and specials for over eight different concepts and are tied in with the R&D teams in the field.

We have begun to develop outside sales to an impressive customer base and have grown the company year over year to over $150 million in annual distribution and manufacturing sales volume with about 200 employees. We have a dedicated Quality Assurance staff to ensure all aspects of food safety and quality commitment to our customers. We are organic certified ready, which would make us one of the few organic-Mexican USDA food manufacturers in the world.

We plan to continue to development of our manufacturing operation as well as expanding our manufacturing capabilities in Vernon CA and growing our distribution facilities in the near future.