“Chico is a growing, vibrant community and we are delighted to offer residents a convenient location for quality Mexican cuisine,” said Lewis. “Our fresh menu items, combined with a lively, casual atmosphere is ideal for those who want a great meal, quality take-out or a preferred place to hang out with family and friends.”

Designed by the noted architecture firm of Russell Gallaway & Associates and featuring décor and styling cues by Stephanie Flint Interior Design, the new La Salsa features a contemporary-casual setting complete with an exhibition-styled kitchen so that guests can view their food being prepared fresh, full bar, comfortable seating areas and a unique salsa bar offering seven varieties that are made fresh on the premises daily. Guests to the quick-casual restaurant are invited to place their food and drink orders at the counter and, while their meals are being prepared, visit the salsa bar to select their favorite toppings. After their menu items have been freshly made to order, guests then pick up their food at the counter and have a seat to enjoy their meal.

Boasting a menu of traditional Mexican entrees made of high-quality ingredients, La Salsa’s menu items are noted for being fresh and flavorful. Popular menu items include the Fresca platter consisting of grilled chicken or sirloin steak and an assortment of fajita-style vegetables drizzled with Salsa Casera and a robust Ancho Chile sauce topped with jack and cheddar cheeses and served with a small side salad, salsa Mexicana, sour cream, guacamole and chile-lime dressing; award-winning Baja-style fish tacos filled with grilled Mahi Mahi, cabbage, cheese, tangy Baja sauce and a squeeze of lime; and the Los Cabos shrimp burrito featuring grilled shrimp, Sonora sauce, fire-roasted fajita veggies, rice, cheese, cabbage, crema mexicana and avocado. Fresh salsa bar offerings include such varieties as Mexicana, buena, habanero, roasted tomato, verde, mango and avocado.

In addition, a selection of domestic and imported beers and wines are available, as are La Salsa’s own signature tequila margaritas, which have been awarded the distinction of “the best margarita on the Las Vegas strip.” Menu items range in price from $2.35 to $7.95 and La Salsa offers a children’s menu for those 12 and under. Vegetarian menu items also are available.

La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill is a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) of Carpinteria, Calif. With over 100 locations, La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill restaurants may be found throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Ohio, Indiana, Colorado, Texas, Connecticut and Florida.