Inspired by concepts like Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria and Barracuda Taco Stand, Salsa is a fast-casual restaurant that will offer a range of pan-Latin foods at approachable price points when it opens at 400 N. Broad St. later this summer. Co-owner Bryan Santos recently told What Now New Orleans that Salsa is inspired by working at his father’s mechanic shop, located one building over on North Broad.
“At the shop, we employ people from Honduras, Mexico, Peru and all these other Latin cultures,” he said. “So, I want Salsa to highlight some of the best foods from all these different cuisines.”
“I feel like if it’s quick-casual and the prices aren’t too high, we’ll do okay,” he added.
Having a Cuban background, Santos said Cuban dishes like yellow rice and rice-and-beans will be a point of emphasis. While some of the food will be served from behind glass-covered steam tables, allowing guests to point at what they want, a few menu items will be cooked to order. Santos also said one part of the steam table will feature rotating specials from different Latin cuisines. More popular specials will stick around and become regular dishes. As with Felipe’s and Barracuda, mixed drinks like mojitos and margaritas will be available, along with soft drinks.
Santos noted that Salsa will be his first restaurant, and dealing with red tape from the city has been “a learning experience.”
“The city is kind of wild,” he deadpanned. “I met some people who are helping me with the red tape. They said, do it this way and you’ll be fine. I’m like okay. But it took a while to find somebody who could help with that.”
