A Guide to Hispanic-Owned Businesses in Staunton, VA

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated each year from September 15 through October 15, is a time to recognize the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across the United States. It’s also a great opportunity to discover and support the locally owned businesses that help make Staunton such an interesting place to visit.

From restaurants and shops to salons and artists, Hispanic-owned businesses and creators are part of the fabric of Staunton’s community and visitor experience. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, looking for a memorable meal, or simply exploring downtown, these locally owned businesses offer another way to experience the people, flavors, and entrepreneurial spirit that make Staunton unique.

While we’re publishing this blog during Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s worth keeping handy anytime you visit Staunton.

Magdalena Bake

Albi Wright’s pasteleria, Magdalena Bake, invites Stauntonians to enjoy the Uruguayan tradition of relaxing over coffee and pastries with friends. A Staunton Farmers Market and food truck favorite since 2019, Magdalena Bake’s Staunton storefront serves coffee, fresh baked goods like dulce de leche croissants and chocolate nido. You can also enjoy breakfast and lunch combos featuring croissant sandwiches and empanadas.

Sabores De Mexico Bakery

Sabores De Mexico Bakery (located between Staunton and Fishersville) is an authentic Mexican panadería that bakes fresh a variety of breads and desserts including conchas, patos,cinnamon rolls, bolillos, and custom cakes.

El Camino Super Market & Rotisserie Chicken

El Camino Super Market & Rotisserie Chicken is a family-owned market specializing in authentic Mexican flavors. You can order chicken combo meals, empanadas, sides like charro beans, aguas frescas, and churros with ice cream. The market stocks fresh produce, hard-to-find spices, and specialty brands.

Gloria’s Pupuseria

Welcoming and authentic, Gloria’s Pupuseria serves amazing Salvadoran cuisine like tamales steamed in plantain leaves, fried plantains, or Salvadoran enchiladas, all featuring fresh, local ingredients. The menu also includes pupusas, which are tortillas packed with flavorful chicken, blended pork, vegetables, and cheese. There’s a menu for kids, and if you’re in a hurry, you can order online! Connect with friends over an ensalada, tamarindo fresco, or a cocktail (or mocktail) from the bar. Gloria’s serves beer, wine, and an extensive selection of margaritas and daiquiris. Finish the meal with desserts like tres leches, flan, and horchata floats.

Chicano Boy Taco and Pizza Luca

Before opening its downtown brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2015, Chef Justin Hershey’s Chicano Boy Taco served its food at a pop-up stand. Now, this Mexican-American taquería has casual sit-down seating inside and on the patio and still serves enormous mission-style burritos, taco bowls, and handmade tacos on the best tortillas you’ve ever eaten.This Mexican-American taquería serves lunch and dinner and  features a simple menu of burritos, tacos, or burrito bowls. Fill them with pork, chicken, shrimp, chorizo and potatoes, tofu, or sweet potato and black bean. Next, select salsa from a range of mild to hot, and extras like “taters,” or cocoa ancho cake! You can get domestic, Mexican, or craft beer, canned cocktails, and $5 margaritas. Want to make your selections ahead of time? A downloadable app makes it easy to order and customize your meal.

Culinary institute-trained Hersey also owns Pizza Luca, which specializes in pasta dishes and brick-fired pizza with gourmet toppings like caramelized onion, fennel sausage, kale, hot honey, and eggplant. The menu includes several wines and craft beers and you can finish your meal with cannoli or tiramisu.

El Jimador

El Jimador is tucked quietly away in the Kroger shopping center, but once you know it’s there, you won’t forget. There’s a lot to pick from on the menu of classic dishes like fajitas, burritos, tacos, and huaraches. You can also enjoy vegetarian bowls, Mexican burgers, lunch specials, and a la carte side orders. Don’t skip the giant margaritas!

Los Marquez Mexican Restaurant

Los Marquez Mexican Restaurant shines for its authentic Mexican food, cozy atmosphere, and friendly service. It’s close to Gypsy Hill Park, so you can stop by to dine or carry out after a ball game or a round of golf. You’ll find reasonable prices and a big menu of all your favorites in platter and combination forms. There’s even a vegetarian menu that has tasty dishes like fajitas stuffed with squash, mushrooms, green and yellow peppers, onions, tomatoes, beans, and guacamole. Wash it down with a big margarita!

Mi Rancho

Staunton diners can choose from three nearby Mi Rancho locations (Greenville Avenue, West Beverley, and Rt. 11 in Verona) all serving lunch and dinner. The extensive menus are flavored with traditional spices from Jalisco, Mexico. Diners can order appetizers, a la carte favorites, combo platters, specials, vegetarian selections, kids’ items and more. If you’re really hungry, try the molcajete mixto, which features sizzling steak, chicken, shrimp, chorizo, and veggies piled in a molcajete and piled with a combination of cheeses. Mi Rancho serves wine, beer, and icy margaritas that come in regular or jumbo sizes. The bar also has a menu of a dozen different tequilas to taste.

Coming Soon! The Elephant’s Trunk, a new Venezuelan fusion restaurant coming to Staunton will be bringing the flavors, traditions, and hospitality of Venezuela to the community, with food made to be shared, enjoyed, and remembered.

Businesses

Bonita’s Salon

Bonita’s Salon has been helping downtown Staunton look its best since 2010. Whether you’re seeking for a new hairstyle, artistic nails, a special-occasion look, or hair and makeup services for your wedding party, you’ll find it here! Check out all the before-and-after transformations of Facebook then make your appointment: you need the pampering!

Noelia Nunez Art & Illustrations

Originally from Uruguay, Noelia Nunez is a Staunton-based painter whose work depicts landscapes and downtown Staunton scenes. She creates commissions for local businesses, teaches classes of adults and children, and supports the community by creating work for fundraisers. She “hopes to forge a connection with her audience by transporting them to a place of beauty and wonder wherever her artwork resides.” Noelia is also an official yoga instructor and teaches private, customizable yoga classes.

Shenandoah Latin Dance

If you want to wow a crowd or dance socially with some hip-shaking salsa action, sign up (or drop in) for classes at Shenandoah Latin Dance. Rotating instructors teach body movement, dance fundamentals, and a learn to dance class. 

Resources

Looking to learn more about Hispanic Heritage and Hispanic-owned businesses in Staunton and beyond? Visit the resources below.

• The Virginia Hispanic Chamber includes an event calendar, member directory, job board, volunteer opportunities, and other resources.
• Find educational resources on the Valhen website. Valhen is a Virginia network of professionals working to improve educational opportunities for Latino/x students.
• Visit the National Hispanic American Heritage Month site for more information on events, exhibits, and educational resources around the USA.

We hope you’ll love exploring all of Staunton’s Hispanic-owned businesses!