Juanita's Offers Fresh Salsa, Chips Made Downriver

Allen Park residents Mario and Kimberly Arredondo have come full circle with their salsa business.

Named affectionately for Mario’s mother, Juanita, the Arredondos sell mild and hot salsas as well as chips at the .

“Many people tell me that the hot should be called ‘pleasantly hot,’” he said.

“The salsas are made with no preservatives, and are low in both sugar and sodium and are very heart and health friendly. They are also extremely fresh,” Mario said.

Mario’s background is as a surgical tech who formerly worked for for more than 17 years. Mario credits his former boss there as the one who encouraged him to make a go of his business, since the chips and salsa he always brought in to share with co-workers in the break room were such a hit.

The Arredondos formerly owned a restaurant, Juanita’s, in Romulus, and a few years ago decided to focus on their salsa, since they had such a loyal customer base.

The salsa is manufactured in a renovated building in River Rouge and sold in several Detroit area grocery stores as well as at many farmers markets.

“The inspector told me my facility was as clean as an operating room from my background,” Mario chuckled.

The Arredondos said they love the Wyandotte Farmers Market, which allows them to engage customers about their freshly made products.

Juanita’s Salsa & Chips is also looking to grow and reach out into other markets when the time is right, Mario said.

Currently Juanita’s Salsa can be found in these fine stores:

• , Wyandotte
• Eureka Farm Market, Southgate
• Concessi’s, Riverview
• Joe’s Produce, Livonia
• Vince & Joe’s Gourmet Market, Clinton Township
• Holiday Markets

Juanita’s Salsa and Chips is also at these farmers markets:

• Birmingham
• Brownstown
• Canton
• Livonia
• Redford
• Wayne

For more information, find them on Facebook or call 313-608-5134.

The is held weekly, from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursdays, at the corner of First and Elm streets.