Help Reopen Tlaloc Sabor Mexicano in San Francisco!

Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Tlaloc Family,

 

I’m Jorge Saldaña, the proud owner of Tlaloc Sabor Mexicano, a little slice of Mexico that’s been a part of San Francisco’s Financial District since 2001. For 24 years, my family and I poured our hearts into serving you at 525 Commercial Street. Your smiles, stories, and love for our delicious burritos, crispy tacos, bowls, and fresh chips with salsa made Tlaloc more than a restaurant, it was our home, and you were our family. Whether you were grabbing a quick lunch or sharing a meal with loved ones, you made every day special.

 

Then came the pandemic, a storm unlike anything we’d seen. Our sales dropped by over 50% since 2019, as the vibrant streets of the FiDi grew quiet. But we didn’t give up. With your incredible support, during the pandemic, we raised nearly $100,000 through a program where every meal you bought helped us feed our brave first responders, heroes who kept our city going during a once-in-a-century crisis. That generosity kept our lights on and reminded me why I love this community so deeply.

Despite our fight, the challenges kept coming. The rent, locked at pre-pandemic rates from 2019, was crushing. Declining sales and tough negotiations with our landlord left us with no choice but to close our doors. Saying goodbye to our loyal team, people like Olga, our rock-steady manager, and Jesi, our head chef, who kept cooking, bringing those Mexican recipes from my mom back to life, was one of the hardest moments of my life. Tlaloc wasn’t just a business; it was a dream my family built from scratch, a place where we shared our culture and love through every bite.

 

But I’m not ready to let that dream die, and I hope you aren’t either. I have a vision to bring Tlaloc back, just blocks from our original spot, with a vibrant food truck and a cozy new location. Picture the same mouthwatering burritos, tacos bursting with flavor, and bowls that warm your soul, served with the same love you’ve always known. We’ll keep the spirit of Tlaloc alive, reimagined for today’s San Francisco.

 

To make this happen, we need your help. Launching the new Tlaloc will cost between $200,000 and $250,000, to outfit the food truck, secure our new space, and meet city requirements. My family has saved $90,000, every penny we could muster, but we need more to bridge the gap. I also want to keep supporting our team, Olga, Jesi, and the staff who’ve been the heart of Tlaloc, by continuing their salaries as we rebuild in the next few months. Your support will help us create jobs, work with local suppliers, and bring back the flavors that made us a San Francisco favorite.

Every dollar counts. A $25 donation could help us stock our kitchen with fresh ingredients. $100 might cover part of our permitting costs and adapting to the new location. $500 or more could help equip our food truck to serve hundreds of meals. Together, we can revive Tlaloc and keep our community’s spirit alive.

San Francisco, you’ve been with us through thick and thin, from the pandemic to every packed lunch rush. You’ve shown me what community means, and I’m asking you to join me one more time. Let’s bring Tlaloc back, stronger than ever. Donate today, and when we reopen, the first basket of chips and salsa is on me as a thank you for believing in us.

 

With all my gratitude,

Jorge Saldaña

Owner, Tlaloc Sabor Mexicano

P.S. Share this campaign with friends and family. Let’s show the world that Tlaloc’s story isn’t over, it’s just beginning a new chapter!