Imagine the sizzle and aroma.

The Tostada Compuesta or Hot Salad was by far the most popular menu item.

Created by my grandmother Cruz Marcella Estrada Dillard Payne in her mother’s kitchen sometime around 1905 at the age of 11 because she was bored with tamales. Almost every meal we sold at the restaurant started with the Tostada Compuesta.

Nini used Iceberg Lettuce for her sizzling creation a decade before Burpee’s now famous lettuce would make railroad history.

The Red Sauce was one of the family’s closest held secrets. Once you have the roasted chilies the sauce is really quite simple.

 Now you can enjoy this iconic creation in your own home.