When we say "As Fresh As It Gets," we mean it in the most literal way possible: every sauce, meat, bean, and tortilla we serve is made from scratch, in-house, using the freshest and highest quality ingredients we can get our hands on. Nothing comes out of a bag, a can, or a freezer shortcut. That is the whole idea behind fresh Mexican food at Cafe Mexicali, and it has been since we opened our first location in Fort Collins, Colorado back in 2005. This post pulls back the curtain on what that actually looks like when the kitchen fires up each morning.
The one test every recipe has to pass
Here is the standard we hold ourselves to: every component we make should be so good that you would happily eat it all by itself. Not just "fine as part of a burrito," but genuinely crave-worthy on its own. A sauce you would eat with a spoon. Beans you would order as their own dish. A tortilla warm enough and flavorful enough that it needs nothing else.
That sounds simple, but it changes everything about how we cook. If a single ingredient is not good enough to stand alone, it does not make the cut. This is what separates a truly made from scratch restaurant from a place that just reheats what a distributor dropped off. When every piece has to earn its spot, the finished plate is better by default.
Sauces: built in layers, not poured from a jug
Our sauces are where a lot of the personality lives. Instead of opening a container, we build them the slow way, balancing bold and bright flavors so nothing overpowers the plate. The goal is balance: enough punch to make you notice, enough restraint that you keep coming back for another bite.
Because we make them fresh, we can actually taste and adjust. A sauce that tastes right on Monday gets tasted again on Tuesday. That daily attention is not glamorous, but it is exactly why the flavors stay consistent and vivid instead of flat.
Meats: cooked to be the star
We treat our meats like the centerpiece they are, because for a lot of our regulars, they are the reason for the visit. We prep and cook them so they carry real flavor before they ever touch a tortilla or a bowl. No relying on a heavy dose of sauce to cover for underseasoned protein.
Run the same test again: could you eat this meat plain and love it? If the answer is not an easy yes, we keep working. That mindset is what "scratch-made" really means day to day. It is not a slogan on the wall, it is a checklist in the kitchen.
Beans: humble ingredient, serious effort
Beans are the ingredient a lot of places phone in, and we think that is a huge missed opportunity. Done right, beans are rich, satisfying, and full of flavor on their own. Done lazily, they are just filler. We refuse to treat them as filler.
So we make ours with the same care as everything else, prepared fresh so they taste like something you would actually order deliberately. When the "supporting" ingredients are this good, the whole meal levels up.
Tortillas and everything in between
A tortilla is not a wrapper to us. It is part of the flavor. The right tortilla, made fresh, brings texture and taste that a shelf-stable version simply cannot match. It is one of those details you might not consciously notice, but you would absolutely miss it if it were gone.
The same philosophy runs through every other component too. From the smallest garnish to the biggest protein, if we are putting it on your plate, we made it with intention that same day. That is the difference you can taste in genuinely fresh Mexican food.
Why "nothing from a bag" is worth the extra work
Making everything from scratch daily is harder. It takes more hands, more time, and more discipline. So why do it? Because it is the only way to deliver on the promise we make with our name. "As Fresh As It Gets" is not something you can outsource to a can.
It also comes down to how we see our job. Our mission is to give you an exceptional dining experience with fresh, scratch-made meals that satisfy and gratify, and to build a real relationship with you every time you come in. You cannot do that with corners cut in the kitchen. Fresh food is how we show up for our community, one meal at a time.
That community focus shows up beyond the counter, too. We love hosting fundraising nights and handling catering for gatherings big and small, because good fresh food is even better when it is shared.
Come taste the difference
The best way to understand what "As Fresh As It Gets" means is to taste it. Take a look at the full menu, then find the closest spot on our locations page. From our first Fort Collins location back in 2005 to our multiple locations today (and folks exploring franchising to bring us to new towns), the commitment has never changed: scratch-made, fresh, and served with a smile.
Frequently asked questions
What does "made from scratch" actually mean at Cafe Mexicali?
It means we prepare our sauces, meats, beans, tortillas, and more in-house using the freshest, highest quality ingredients, rather than opening bags, cans, or freezer packs. Every component is made with the goal that it would be delicious on its own. That is the standard behind everything we serve.
Is Cafe Mexicali really a made from scratch restaurant, or just partly?
Absolutely everything we serve is made from scratch, not just a few signature items. We hold every ingredient to the same test: it has to be good enough to eat by itself. That commitment has been part of who we are since we opened in 2005.
Why does scratch-made fresh Mexican food matter?
Making everything fresh daily lets us taste, adjust, and deliver bold, balanced flavors instead of flat, mass-produced results. It takes more effort, but it is the only way to truly be "As Fresh As It Gets." You can taste the difference in every bite.
Where can I try Cafe Mexicali fresh food?
You can find us at multiple locations, starting from our original spot in Fort Collins, Colorado. Check our locations page to find the one nearest you, and browse the full menu before you go.
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