On Saturday, Clavo & Canela Cocina Café, a family owned Salvadoran restaurant in downtown Antioch, held its grand opening.
Cafe owners Carla and Edwin Menjeivar says they came to Antioch 14 years ago and they wanted to bring their food to Antioch – family recipes that they say are in their hearts and want to bring it to the community with love.
According to Carla, they held the grand opening on Saturday in honor of her dad on his birthday who recently passed away.
“This is a special day for me and my family, we are working really hard to be here. Today is my dads 89th birthday and he passed away on June 29,” said Carla. “I want to make him proud; we are a family of immigrants born and raised in El Salvador. We are bringing our culture here and I am so grateful for my family that god gave me, all of you are my family.”
She called the restaurant not only her home, but everyone is welcome.
Mayor Ron Bernal called the food “amazing” and called this is a place a home that people can come and be loved and accepted. He called the El Salvador culture beautiful and Antioch is a lot of different people and cultures.
“Thank you for investing in Antioch and believing in us,” said Bernal. “Thank you for coming, we are so grateful to you coming to downtown and being a part of the renaissance happening and occurring. Thank you for sticking with this, I know its been hard work but anything worth having is hard work.”
Councilmember Don Freitas said seeing another restaurant down here will bring everyone together as a family and a place where people can support one another.
Sean McCauley shared when they met Carla, they knew they had to get them into downtown Antioch
“We fell in love with them on the first day and we are so glad they are here. Its been a long time, the tough part is over and they made it. I just want to say congratulations,” said McCauley.
Clavo & Canela Cocina – Café is located at 310 G Street, Antioch CA. For more information, photographs/videos of food, visit them on Instagram.