La Atascadero Chamber of Commerce is making history by honoring a Hispanic Business of the Year for the first time at its annual Awards Dinner and Gala in April. La Parilla Mexican Grill, nominated by the community, has been selected as the inaugural winner of this prestigious award.
The journey of La Parilla began six years ago when cousins Edgar Valencia, Pepe Fonseco, and Lisandro Arriaga opened their first location in Atascadero. Their dedication to serving authentic Mexican cuisine with fresh ingredients quickly gained popularity, leading them to expand to Arroyo Grande and most recently to Paso Robles.
Edgar, who has been cooking since he was 11 years old, attributes the success of La Parilla to the passion and hard work of the entire team. Their commitment to quality and innovation has not gone unnoticed, as they were also named the 2024 winner of Best Tacos for Best of North County.
The news of being chosen as the Hispanic Business of the Year came as a pleasant surprise to the La Parilla team. Despite initially thinking it might be a scam, they were overwhelmed with gratitude for the recognition from the community.
For Edgar and his cousins, owning a business is about more than just serving delicious food – it’s about building connections with people and supporting the local community. They actively participate in local youth sports and strive to give back to the community that has embraced them.
In receiving this prestigious award, Edgar expressed his pride in being appreciated for their hard work and dedication. La Parilla has set a high standard for Hispanic businesses in the community, exemplifying what it means to foster, support, and celebrate local businesses and community members.