Salsa & Beer, the family-run Mexican grill known around the Valley for oversized plates and a help-yourself salsa bar, is closing in on a long-awaited Calabasas debut. Fresh signage has gone up on Las Virgenes Road, signaling that the popular chain is moving into the former Coco’s space near the 101 freeway after years of sitting empty. Owner Gabriel Huerta has told local outlets that crews are wrapping up work inside and that the opening is just around the corner. When it happens, regulars can expect the usual lineup of taquitos, tacos, and the chain’s signature house bean dip.
According to What Now Los Angeles, new signs featuring the Salsa & Beer name and menu favorites are already posted at 4895 Las Virgenes Road, and Huerta said the team is “finishing construction” and “planning to open soon.”
About the chain
Salsa & Beer describes itself as a family operation bringing the flavors of Jerez, Zacatecas to Los Angeles. The brand’s website lists four Los Angeles-area locations and a menu packed with enchiladas, tortas, burritos, and tacos. According to the Salsa & Beer site, the restaurant emphasizes “generous portions made from the freshest ingredients” and a complimentary house bean dip that longtime customers rave about. Regulars also point to the salsa bar and a beer selection well-suited to margarita pairings as key parts of its Valley draw.
Site history and earlier sightings
The Las Virgenes storefront has been a local question mark for years. Neighborhood outlets first spotted signs for Salsa & Beer at the 4895 address back in 2020, when the project was initially proposed. Conejo Valley Guide documented the early efforts to bring the restaurant to the former Coco’s location, along with follow-up coverage as the space stayed dormant through the pandemic.
Planning notes and neighborhood concerns
The property cleared a key hurdle when Calabasas officials signed off on restaurant use at the site, according to community planning records. Before that approval, neighbors weighed in at public hearings with concerns about traffic, parking, and whether a busy restaurant was the right fit for a parcel directly next to the freeway, issues detailed in civic materials from the Calabasas Coalition.
When to expect it
There is still no firm opening date. Huerta told What Now Los Angeles that the buildout is nearly complete and that the team hopes to welcome diners soon. Once the timeline is locked in, the restaurant is expected to post hours and an official launch date at the Calabasas storefront and on its website, and customers can keep an eye on the Salsa & Beer website for updates.
