WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Free chips and salsa, a beloved staple at Mexican restaurants, may not be free much longer.
According to a study from Texas A&M University, since 2018, Mexico has accounted for 90% of tomatoes imported to the U.S. But these products have taken a hit since higher tariffs were imposed.
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Restaurant owners are already battling the rising costs of other items like beef. The added cost of what has traditionally been a free cup of salsa is becoming another cost burden for some Wichita restaurants.
“There’s little savings. There’s thing that you do,” Daniel Ramirez, the owner of Cactus Cantina & Grill, said. “But, I mean, even like that, you can feel that you’re not making enough to do things like you used to do it.”
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Ramirez is in his 34th year of business. He said that he works 24/7 to help with bills and extra costs. He advises restaurants that may be considering charging for chips and salsa to evaluate portions first.
“Make sure as you bring your salsa, give a little less, and if people ask for a little more, then you consider to do maybe a little upcharge,” he said.
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Los Compadres Mexican Grill off of Kansas Highway 96 is also experiencing an increase in prices across the board. Owner Juan Carlos Renteria doesn’t want to charge for chips and salsa, but he said that he will have to be innovative with operations moving forward.
“I don’t want the customer to feel like, ‘Oh, now I have to pay this on top of this,'” Renteria said. “So we’re definitely looking to be more creative with our accounting to kind of absorb the cost.”
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Renteria said that he will also consider making changes in the kitchen, the staff and the quantity of products they order to make invoices lower…