(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Andres Sanchez, Cristina Olvera and Frida Olvera at La Casa Del Tamal in Salt Lake City's Post District on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

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Hello, Eaters! New restaurants keep popping up in the Post District at 500 South and 300 West in Salt Lake City, and the newest is La Casa Del Tamal, with the attached Azucar Cafecito Bar.

Housed in the same building, the high-end Mexican restaurant and tiny coffee bar are technically the same business, owned by one family. Last week, I talked with CEO Andres Sanchez and his wife, Frida Olvera — who is usually inventing new drinks for the restaurant and coffee bar — and her mom, head chef Cristina Olvera.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) La Casa Del Tamal in Salt Lake City's Post District on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

The origin story: In 2019, Cristina Olvera took her home-based tamale venture to a local swap meet and named it La Casa Del Tamal. A couple of years later, the first location of La Casa Del Tamal opened in West Valley City, followed by the first location of Azucar Cafe (“sugar” in Spanish), two doors down, in 2023. In November, La Casa del Tamal and a mini version of Azucar opened in the Post District.

The vibe: Frida Olvera said they were inspired by restaurants in Guadalajara, Mexico, that also have coffee bars, and called La Casa Del Tamal a “perfect one-stop shop.” Her husband said they wanted to bring “a more elevated Mexican experience” to the Post District, and that’s apparent in the beauty of the restaurant, with its dark woods, tall windows and vibey lighting. Unlike the West Valley location, the Post District location can seat groups and families easily, and is well-suited for date nights.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Frida Olvera in Azucar cafe, part of La Casa Del Tamal in Salt Lake City's Post District on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

The menu: You’ll find specials specific to the Post District, like fire-grilled octopus and a whole bone-in snook fish, as well as tacos, “platillos” (plates), enchiladas and more, plus Cristina Olvera’s famous tamales. The food is heavily inspired by the cuisine in Pachuca, the capital of the Mexican state of Hidalgo, where people love their salsa verde, Frida Olvera said. The seafood is influenced by coastal Michoacan, where Olvera’s dad is from. Diners can order drinks from the coffee bar to their table. To read about my order, scroll down to “Dish of the Week.”

The hours: La Casa del Tamal and Azucar Cafecito Bar are open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and closed Sunday.