How one restaurateur filled a Tex-Mex void in California

When Texas native Briana Valdez moved to Los Angeles, she had a hard time finding restaurants that reminded her of home, with Tex-Mex-style tacos and Southern hospitality. So, after years of working with famed chef Thomas Keller at Bouchon, and having been mentored by P.F. Chang’s founder Paul Fleming, Valdez claimed that whitespace and opened the first location of HomeState. The concept is now known for its community vibes and Texan classics like breakfast tacos, Texas toast, and Frito pie, writes Joanna Fantozzi in her feature on HomeState for nrn.com.

That’s why we named HomeState one of our 2022 Hot Concepts, an award given out to companies that we think are set to take off. In years past, we’ve named concepts to this list including The Cheesecake Factory, Panda Express, Noodles & Company, Jamba Juice, True Food Kitchen, CAVA, and Bareburger over the 25-year span of the award and they’ve clearly risen to the occasion.

Here's Joanna Fantozzi with more on HomeState and what we can expect from this growing LA-based brand.

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