Originally from the small town of Guanajuato in Central Mexico not far from Guadalajara, Fernandez came to South Bend in 1981 to visit relatives and never left.

His first job working as a cook for a country club in Elkhart taught Fernandez not only the nuances of cooking as a trade, but also cooking foods from all over the world, “from Oriental to German to Italian to French, to back to the American and even Mexican food,” Fernandez says.

Using that knowledge and pulling recipes his mother used back home in Mexico, Fernandez opened his first restaurant, Primos, on Bristol Street in Elkhart in 1990. Primos lasted for three years, but Fernandez was hardly one and done in the restaurant business.

In 1995, he brought his recipes and the tricks of the trade he picked up owning his own eatery to South Bend on Ironwood Drive, where La Esperanza has operated ever since.

By the early 2000s his brother Javier and Sister Elizabeth join the party and took over the operation. Ushering in a new Era of La Esperanza. It wasn’t long before an Elkhart location was in the works. With a family friend offering an option to acquire a building across the street from the river on Jackson, the project began to form.

A lot of effort and dedication went into creating the new location. Only to have difficulty with the transfer of ownership of the building and having to go back to the drawing board. La Esperanza Elkhart was closed until a new building was procured.

With the support of the city and a lot of love. The current location was acquired and completely remodeled. Today, both locations have gone through various renovations and lots of chips and salsas served. We appreciate your support for our family.
​Mon – Thurs: 11am – 9pm

​​Fri – Sat: 11am – 9pm​

Sunday: 11am – 9pm