For 47 years, La Frontera has served generous plates of authentic Mexican comfort food at a great value. Established as one of the first Mexican restaurants in the Salt Lake Valley in 1979, our dining rooms have always been a casual, family-friendly gathering place. Whether it is a quick lunch, a date night, a prom night, or an anniversary celebration, La Frontera has stood alongside our community through thick and thin, surviving recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic to continue serving the food you love.
The story of La Frontera begins with our founder, Antonio Tovar, who immigrated from Guanajuato, Mexico, at the age of 15. Antonio began his journey as a migrant worker in the fields of Idaho, where he quickly made a name for himself as a dependable, hard worker who always got the job done.
He later moved into pipeline construction in Utah, working for Enoch Smith and MH Cook Pipeline. Adversity and challenges were Antonio’sAntonio’s best tools, and he dreamt of one day working for himself. He envisioned opening a restaurant—either in the tourist areas of Acapulco, Mexico, or right here in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was raising his family.
In 1979, that dream became a reality when he opened the first La Frontera at 1236 W 400 S in Salt Lake City. When asked why he chose the name, Antonio replied that everyone has to cross ” la frontera” (the border) between Mexico and the US.
Antonio was more than just a restaurateur; he was a pioneer in building the Hispanic community in Salt Lake City. While his first love was serving good Mexican food, his success allowed him to give back generously.
He brought his homeland to Utah by starting Radio Frontera, broadcasting Mexican tunes across the local airwaves. He also opened Salon Frontera, which brought famous Mexican musical groups and artists of the 80s and 90s to the Salt Lake Valley. His endeavors expanded to hosting Jaripeos (Mexican rodeos) featuring renowned musicians. Antonio’sAntonio’s early dreams and successes laid the essential groundwork for the Mexican entertainment scene that exists in Utah today.
We stand out from the competition because we refuse to compromise on the taste and quality of our products by cutting costs with cheaper ingredients. Our menu is inspired by a dedication to offering fresh, homemade Mexican food—nothing is opened from a can and served:
Today, Antonio’sAntonio’s desire for self-employment and community service lives on. Our locations in Salt Lake City, Midvale, West Jordan, and Riverton are owned and operated by dedicated individuals who have worked for La Frontera for over 20 years.
With experienced owners and managers on-site at every location, they have made their own dreams a reality. They mirror Antonio’s passion, continuing to serve our tantalizing chips and salsa and a menu full of the comfort food our local community has relied on for generations.
