Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber Magazine 2024 - 15

LOCAL BUSINESS
DELGADO'S & PEPE'S
The Generations and Legacy
of Two South Coast Eateries
Top, left to right:
Christina and Suzanne
Delgado; Arturo
Castellanos Sr.,
Arturo Castellanos Jr.,
Suzanne Castellanos
(Delgado), Osiris
Castellanos. Inset:
Arturo Castellanos
Sr. (Pepe's Mexican
Restaurant 1965)
IN THE HEART OF Carpinteria,
California, a story of family, tradition,
and culinary legacy unfolds.
This tale began in 1947 when Angelo
and Christina Delgado opened
Delgado's as a humble gas station
and grocery store. It was here
that Christina Delgado, the family
matriarch, began making tortillas,
a staple for the local farm workers.
Her
tortillas,
initially handcrafted,
became so popular that the family
soon moved their growing tortilla
factory to a larger space just down
the street.
In 1965, Angelo V. Delgado expanded
their food footprint. While the tortilla
factory continued to thrive, producing
traditional nixtamal masa,
Susan Delgado, and her husband,
Arturo Castellanos
Sr.,
opened
Delgado's Restaurant in the front
of the tortilla factory. That same
year, they acquired Pepe's Mexican
Restaurant in Goleta.
Pepe's has its own unique story of
growth and resilience. The restaurant
initially occupied only the small
bar area until 1970. In 1986, Pepe's
added a new patio and kitchen,
but faced a significant challenge in
December 2020 when a fire struck.
With the support of
the City of
Goleta and the community, Pepe's
triumphantly reopened in November
2022.
The family's dedication to community
extends beyond their restaurants,
now operated by Arturo
Castellanos Jr. and son Osiris
Castellanos.
Providing
low-cost
meals to United Way, working with a
variety of charitable organizations,
and their passion to support education
as evidenced through their
donations to local high schools and
middle schools, show a commitment
to the community that has been their
foundation for several generations.
Delgado's and Pepe's are more than
just great local restaurants; they are
a testament to the enduring power
of family, tradition, and community.
With over 40 employees, some of
whom have been with the family
since the 1970s, these establishments
represent a legacy of four generations
serving the communities of
Carpinteria and Goleta. Their mission
of tradition, quality, and value
is embodied in every dish they serve,
from carnitas made in the same
1940's cazo (kettle) that Angelo Sr.
used to mix their nixtamal masa
which is supplied to local bakeries
to this day, to the family grown
yellow chilies
in
their
renowned
Pork Chile Verde. As they continue
to serve generations of customers,
the Delgado family's story remains
a cherished chapter in the south
coast's culinary history.
For more information visit delgadoscarp.com and pepesgoleta.com
2 0 2 4 EDITION 15
http://www.delgadoscarp.com http://www.pepesgoleta.com
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber Magazine 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber Magazine 2024
