About La Fiesta

Recipes Rooted in Tradition

Established in the late 1950s, La Fiesta has a rich, family-filled history. Original founders Josefina (Josie) and Pete Nieto opened their small family business in Erie, only a few minutes from today’s location. At that time, the restaurant was known as El Patio, and with a little help and a lot of satisfied customers, it wasn’t long before the Nietos moved to a larger, more centrally located restaurant north of Erie in Monroe to continue sharing their good food and family traditions.

There, they became even more established and well-known. Josie and Pete raised their four children during that time, and eventually, as their children grew up and moved away, the couple decided to downsize the business. Over time, they settled into a small building in La Salle on Dixie Highway, where they met and befriended the Canales family.

In 1983, after more than two decades devoted to the restaurant, Josie and Pete decided it was time to retire. At their urging, their friends in the Canales family, led by Jose and Victoria, purchased the business. Jose expanded the South Dixie location as much as possible over the years, but as the restaurant continued to grow, the family eventually built the location where La Fiesta proudly operates today.

From Our Kitchen to Your Table

On any given day, and at almost any given hour, there is at least one member of each of the three generations of the Canales family involved in greeting you, serving you, or preparing your meal.

Thank you for joining us today and becoming part of the long-standing traditions of family, good food, and great friends. We hope you truly enjoy your time with us here at La Fiesta and plan to visit again soon!