Our Story
Hi! I'm Charlee Garcia, a third generation business owner, long time sauce fanatic!
Growing up, I was a restaurant kid. I was surrounded by incredible food and watched every day how a great meal could bring people together. From an early age, I learned that the secret to an unforgettable plate isn't just what's on it—it's the sauce.
The inspiration for Sonrisa Salsa starts with my dad—the original chef of our family restaurants and the creative force behind the recipes we've served for decades. He has an incredible gift for building bold, balanced flavors, and every salsa we make today is rooted in the recipes and techniques he perfected in our family kitchen. These aren't recipes created in a test kitchen—they're recipes that have been shared around our table, served to our community, and enjoyed by generations of guests.
I created Sonrisa Salsa to bring those same unforgettable flavors from our family's restaurants into your home, so every meal has the chance to feel a little more special.
In my family, Sundays were sacred. They meant gathering around a table overflowing with homemade food, sharing stories that lasted for hours, laughing until our cheeks hurt, and always staying up later than we planned. Those moments taught me that the best memories aren't just made around food—they're made around the people you share it with.
That's where the name Sonrisa comes from. It means "smile" in Spanish, and it's a reminder of what we hope every jar brings to your table. More than just a salsa, Sonrisa is our way of sharing a piece of our family's tradition—recipes created by my dad, passed down with love, and made to bring people together over food that makes you smile :)
Where did this recipe come from?
Salsa Alex (named after my brother!), is a recipe that has served in our family's restaurant(s) for nearly three decades.
After years of hearing: "Can I take this salsa home?" ...we finally decided the answer should be yes!
Do you have recipes?
Absolutely!
We're constantly creating new recipes, meal ideas, and cooking tips.
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