On the west end of town, settled next door to Koto Sushi, Subway and Sunrise Dental, a new restaurant has opened its doors. Los Cabos, a family Mexican restaurant, is one of seven Los Cabos restaurants Veronica Guerrero’s family owns throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Guerrero was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, along with her 12 siblings, but came to the United States at age 20, following the lead of an older brother who had moved when he was 14 years old.
After Guerrero’s brother submerged himself in the food industry while living in California, he eventually opened the first Los Cabos in Poulsbo about 17 years ago, Guerrero said.
Now, all of Guerrero’s family, including her parents, live in Washington.
From Silverdale to Sequim
After closing down the Los Cabos in Silverdale because of increasing rent, Guerrero and her sister, Rosalda Foltero, a part owner of the new location and owner of the Bremerton Los Cabos, decided to move the restaurant to Sequim mostly because Guerrero had customers from the area that encouraged her to do so.
“I had many customers at my (Silverdale) restaurant that really loved our food and would tell me they wish I was closer to them,” Guerrero said.
Thus, two months ago, Guerrero and her 13-year-old daughter and 7-month-old son packed up and moved to Sequim.
“Business has been very good,” Guerrero said. “It’s been steady and people are happy.”
Guerrero is encouraged by the fact she already has had some repeat customers within the month she has been in business.
Locals John Mash and Judy Gauderman decided to spend their lunch break at the new restaurant.
After researching Los Cabos online and reading multiple positive reviews, Gauderman wanted to give it a try, she said.
“It (the food) was so good,” Gauderman said, with Mash in agreement.
Based on her longtime personal experience within the restaurant industry, coupled with the collective experience from all her siblings also in the industry, Guerrero thrives on the interaction with people and said she enjoys “building good relationships with her customers.”
Guerrero also stresses the importance of being flexible when it comes to customer requests.
“If a customer wants something that is not on the menu, we will do our best to make it,” Guerrero said. “We try to accommodate everyone we can.”
Inspiration
When asked about her parents, Guerrero admits they are very proud of her and the family’s overall business successes. Guerrero’s mother is especially proud and happy to make suggestions when she receives calls from her children inquiring about recipes, Guerrero said.
“We (siblings) all share recipes with each other,” Guerrero said. “Our mom liked cooking and had a real talent for it.”
Guerrero’s mother taught all her children how to cook traditional cuisine and emphasized the importance of fresh food. Because of her mother’s early teachings, Guerrero said she does her best to operate her restaurant to her mother’s standards. To do so, Guerrero and some of her kitchen staff must arrive at the restaurant long before business hours to prepare fresh ingredients, such as rice, beans and vegetables.
Since opening, Guerrero has been putting in long hours, but said she was prepared for the time commitment as she is no stranger to the hard work it takes to create a successful restaurant.
Los Cabos is open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday and Sunday, and 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 1250 W. Washington St., Suite 100. The restaurant can be reached at 681-5360 or visit www.loscabosck.com.
Reach Alana Linderoth at alinderoth@sequimgazette.com.
