In the San Francisco Bay Area culinary world, Oakland stands out for many reasons. One of the reasons why The Town gets so much buzz surrounding its culinary scene is because of the chefs and restaurant owners that make authentic and diverse restaurant concepts that you won’t find anywhere else.
One of these stand out chefs from the Oakland culinary community is Anthony Salguero, owner and chef of Popoca. A progressive Latin & Salvadoran restaurant located in the vibrant Old Oakland neighborhood.
Anthony Salguero, Owner & Chef at Popoca
Creativity exploration was one of the main components in the beginning of Anthony's culinary journey. Playing with different types of food flavors, colors, and textures was ultimately what led him to use his creativity in a different way.
“When I first started in the kitchen — being able to use ingredients and foods that I’ve never seen, experienced, or tasted was always really exciting for me. That was also what pushed me to become a chef,” said Anthony.
His Salvadoran and Puerto Rican heritage played a huge role in his journey to becoming a chef and developing his style of cooking — which is always changing. While his Latin heritage inspired his cooking style, he also credits his California origin with the innovative cooking style. These components made it easier for him to create many techniques and styles.
“I change my style a lot — sometimes I want to do something super extravagant, other times I want to do something homey or laid back and sometimes I just want to make whatever I want to make with the certain ingredients I have. My cooking style is always evolving because that’s who I am — I’m always learning, growing and exploring new ideas.”
Salguero’s homecoming to El Salvador as an adult is ultimately where he drew the inspiration for his now highly popular restaurant, Popoca. This trip made him grow closer to his heritage, connect more with himself, and made him appreciate food in a whole different way.
“Eating is my gateway to educate me on my culture. From eating I learn so much more. I remember the first time going to El Salvador as an adult, I was trying so many different ingredients, flavors and different techniques that I have never heard of or tried. It made me really excited to dig into the culture and food more. That was really what pushed me to start Popoca and start making food that was a representation of who I was.”
Since 2016, Salguero has been creating magic in Oakland’s culinary scene. He acknowledges The Town as one of his inspirations when it comes to creating authentic food that brings comfort to all of the people who have the pleasure of dining at Popoca.
"I’ve been cooking in Oakland since 2016. The Town represents welcoming spirit and comfort. Being in Oakland has pushed me to make food that feels more comforting — more laid back and more from the soul. Oakland has so much soul, ‘alma’.”
As Salguero continues to make his mark on Oakland's culinary scene, his passion for the city and its people shines through. With dreams of expanding his restaurant empire and a commitment to fostering a strong community connection, Salguero is ready for the next steps in his career. His dedication to showcasing the vibrant flavors of Oakland and supporting local businesses is a testament to his love for the city his restaurant calls home.
See all that The Town has to offer! Check out our Digital Inspiration Guide and start planning your trip!
