SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) is proud to announce the selection of family-owned restaurant, Guisados as the 51st Assembly District’s 2019 Small Business of the Year.
“Since the opening of its original Boyle Heights location in 2010, Guisados has grown to seven restaurants in Los Angeles, with its Echo Park location in Assembly District 51 being its busiest adding to the thriving local community,” said Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo. “Guisados is a testament to the rise of Mexican gastronomy that honors passed down family recipes that celebrate culture, people and good food, all the while promoting economic sustainability and employment opportunities for local residents.”
Armando de la Torre Sr., Guisados founder and operator, accepted the recognition at the State Capitol and dedicated the award to his late parents, specifically his mother whose recipes are the menu’s foundation and to the employees who operate each location and contribute to Guisados success.
“Thank you to Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo for selecting Guisados as the 2019 Small Business of the Year. It is truly an honor,” said Mr. De La Torre. “Even though they are no longer with us, I also want to thank my parents for their lifelong vision and support. I want to thank the beautiful Guisados family as well for their tireless work because they are the ones who make us who we are today and represent the culture of our company and essence of our brand. This award is dedicated to you.”
Each year, California legislators are invited to select a Small Business of the Year in their district. California Small Business Day brings small business leaders, legislators, and state agencies together to recognize and celebrate the important contributions small businesses make to our great state. Since 2000, over 1,500 small businesses have been honored in the State of California.
Started in 2010 at their Boyle Heights location, Guisados has become one of the best-reviewed taco restaurants in Los Angeles. Reviews have included being listed on Thrillists’ best Mexican restaurants in L.A., and Conde Nast Traveler’s list of best places to eat across the globe. Their popularity has allowed the restaurant to expand to seven locations in total, including Echo Park, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Downtown L.A. Guisados has also taken it upon themselves to uplift and empower the local community creating the ‘Featured Artist Program’ in 2011. This program offers local artists the opportunity to display their art at each location for the enjoyment of the local community and for the global customers Guisados attracts.
This year, Assemblymember Carrillo introduced AB 1720 (Small Business Protection), which would direct the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to collaborate with state agencies like the Office Business and Economic Development (GO-BIZ) to develop guidelines and tools used by local cities and counties that would protect and encourage the growth of small businesses. The bill has received unanimous bipartisan support and continues to move through the legislative process.
###
Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo was elected as the representative of the 51st Assembly District in December of 2017. She is a member of the Health, Appropriations, Utilities & Energy, Labor and Rules Committees. Carrillo represents the people of East Los Angeles, Northeast Los Angeles, and the neighborhoods of El Sereno, Echo Park, Lincoln Heights, Chinatown and parts of Silver Lake.