It can be easy to assume that Tapatío hot sauce is of Mexican origin. The copy, including the catchphrase “Es una salsa…Muy salsa!,” which roughly means “This salsa…Is very salsa!,” is in Spanish, and the label features a man dressed in traditional Mexican garb.
The spicy truth is that Tapatío actually originated in Los Angeles, initially as a side hustle for Immigrant factory worker Jose-Luis Saavedra Sr., and has since become a staple in many homes in the US and abroad. It’s tangy, garlicky, and slightly spicy kick complements a broad range of foods, and its popularity has led to licensing deals with Frito-Lay. Tapatío has long surpassed its humble and working-class Gateway Cities roots, and its latest collaboration transcends even food, taking the hot sauce into the makeup world, working with Hipdot.
