Our Family
Cafe Silvestre in Gunnison, Colorado, is a restaurant that boasts family legacy and proudly carries forward the cherished family tradition of delivering authentic, homemade Mexican food. Through the generations of the Ruiz family, this restaurant has become a beloved, local dining destination where the homemade recipes have been passed down generation to generation, delivered in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
The roots of Cafe Silvestre trace back to Jackie Ruiz’s grandmother, Gloria Ruiz, who ignited the family's passion for homemade cooking when she opened the first family restaurant in Utah in 1976. This legacy of sharing authentic flavors with the community was continued by Jackie's parents, who opened a location in Denver in 1979. The journey eventually led to the beautiful mountain town of Gunnison in 1991, where Cafe Silvestre has thrived ever since. This location has been run by Gloria’s granddaughter, Jackie, with the help of nearly every family member at one time or another, and now extending down to Gloria’s great grand-children. The Ruiz family has worked hard to create an environment that shares their family values of warmth, love, hospitality and a deep appreciation for their family culinary traditions.
Notably, the location in Utah, where the family's culinary journey began, is still open today. It serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Ruiz family's dedication to sharing their family recipes with their respective local communities. With each passing year, these restaurants continue to delight diners with their delicious offerings, celebrating the tradition passed down through their cooking of fresh and handmade food. So, whether you find yourself in Gunnison, Colorado, or in Utah, you can savor the flavors and warmth of the Ruiz family's heritage at Cafe Silvestre.
