Andalé opened its doors in 1987, started by three friends, Luís, Ignacio and Pedro, all hailing from San José de Gracia in central Mexico. Andalé was inspired by a desire to bring the food of their family kitchens to Bay Area locals. From the start, the guys from San José de Gracia did things the way they always had at home. Pots of beans and rice were put on the stove early each morning. Vegetables were selected, cleaned and flavored with fresh, seasonal herbs. The smells of salsa, tamales, enchiladas and grilled meats would fill the kitchen. They made absolutely everything fresh each day. Years later, with the addition of Pedro’s son Victor, the next generation of Andalé carries on that tradition of doing things the exact same way.

The Restaurants in Palo Alto, Los Gatos and San Francisco offer outside seating, weekend brunches and an oasis to escape with a plate of hot carnitas and hand-squeezed margaritas. Each street location has an open kitchen with a mesquite grill and vivid, colorful murals depicting the Andalé family history. Aside from its street locations, Andalé has a handful of Bay Area airport locations that offer breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a to-go menu for in-flight meals. The guys from Andalé believe that food should be flavorful, healthy and offer enough variety so that you can (and want!) to eat it everyday. And if the folks from San José de Gracia ever find themselves in an Andalé, you can bet they'd be proud.