Hispanic heritage is an integral part of Seattle, with its vibrancy especially evident in neighborhoods like South Park, Delridge, and White Center. These areas showcase the rich customs that energize the city year-round.
Nationally observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history, culture, and impact of individuals with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. While the term “Hispanic” is used in the official designation of the month, Visit Seattle also embraces and honors the diverse identities within the community, including those who may identify as “Latino,” or prefer to be referred to by their national identity.
The Hispanic and Latino cultural presence in Seattle is deeply rooted in community and multigenerational legacy. One powerful example is the story of Lucy Lopez, who moved from Cuautla, Jalisco to Seattle in 1957 and went on to open Guadalajara, one of the city’s first Mexican restaurants. Lucy’s leadership and entrepreneurial spirit helped lay the groundwork for generations of Cuautla-born restaurateurs who would follow in her footsteps, creating a rich network of family-run businesses across Seattle and King County.
That connection is formally recognized through Washington state’s sister-state relationship with Jalisco, and the sister-city partnership between Cuautla and Renton. These ties continue to thrive, fueled by cultural appreciation and the work of key community organizations like the Seattle Latino Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (SLMCC) and El Centro de La Raza, a Latino cultural anchor based in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle since 1972.
“At the Seattle Latino Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, our mission is to uplift Latino communities and amplify the voices of small businesses that shape the cultural and economic landscape of greater Seattle,” said Marcos Wanless, founder and president of the SLMCC. “Through storytelling, advocacy, and community engagement, we proudly spotlight the incredible contributions of local Latino-owned businesses, including standouts like Jalisco Mexican Restaurant and Cielo Cocina, that continue to inspire and impact our region:
- Since 1977, Jalisco Mexican Restaurant in Lake City has been a home for tradition, flavor, and culture in the heart of Seattle. Thanks to the vision of Señor Chon and Señor Noé, this 100% Mexican-owned business has served generations with the authentic spirit of Jalisco. Their legacy lives on in every delicious plate that they serve.
- At Cielo Cocina in Bellevue, Adriana and Elda serve more than food—they serve heritage. Their family recipes from Jalisco, Mexico, tell a story of pride, perseverance, and the beauty of home. In every dish, we taste the strength of generations and the warmth of a culture that continues to shape our community.”
“We’re proud of our heritage because it reflects the resilience, wisdom, and hard work of those who came before us,” said Miguel Maestas, associate director of El Centro de la Raza. “By uplifting small businesses, like Shark Bite Ceviches, through our Business Opportunity Center’s Food Incubator Program, investing in education, and driving economic development, we’re not just building stronger families, we’re building stronger communities and a future where people thrive with dignity and pride.”
- Marcos Arellano’s path to opening Shark Bite Ceviches in Ballard in March 2025 began nearly a decade earlier. Along with a roommate from Tijuana, Marcos began co-hosting Friday night ceviche parties for friends and family, honing his recipes with feedback from his former coworkers at Eltana Bagels. Marcos realized that Seattle lacked dedicated ceviche spots and started sharing his creations for free at community soccer games and with Eltana customers, which eventually led him to El Centro de la Raza’s Food Incubator Program. Marcos launched a courtyard ceviche stand at El Centro’s Beacon Hill campus shortly thereafter and steadily built his customer base while expanding the ceviche menu from Tijuana-style shrimp to octopus, halibut, salmon, and vegan mushroom options. With guidance from El Centro on permits, licensing, and promotion, Marcos built the foundation that would carry Shark Bite Ceviches from a small stand to a full brick-and-mortar restaurant, bringing his fresh, vibrant recipes to the heart of Ballard.
To learn more about Seattle’s Hispanic and Latino communities, go to visitseattle.org.