[dropcap size=small]W[/dropcap]hen you think about “home,” perhaps you visualize your house or your parents and siblings. Maybe you even feel a warm burst of love or taste your grandma’s chocolate chip cookies.

La Salita, a New Mexican restaurant located on Eubank and San Jacinto, strives to be its customers’ “home away from home,” and the family that runs it, the Seifert-Eddings, are just the right people to prepare New Mexican homestyle dishes to fulfill that chile relleno craving.

La Salita was originally founded by Sam Pachanian in 1965. However, after working as a server for four years at La Salita, the current matriarch, Cindy Seifert, purchased the restaurant from Pachanian in 1979. Though Seifert is not a native New Mexican, the restaurant is. The family has continued to use all of Pachanian’s original recipes. She and her husband ended up in Albuquerque after a pit stop during their road trip through the American Southwest. “We thought we’d end up in Colorado. The plan was to stop in New Mexico and make some money and then continue travelling. But we liked New Mexico so much that we just stayed.” According to Seifert, the pair always thought they’d be in the restaurant business.

Before long, Seifert had her own children, Stephanie Eddings and James Seifert, help out at La Salita. “I grew up [at La Salita]. I was out there at 5 with a tray and drinks. I would be in the kitchen with my stepladder,” Stephanie said, “This was my second home.”

Now, 35 years later, Stephanie is back at La Salita as a cook and staffing manager, along with her husband Erik Eddings, who is the business manager. “We both had corporate jobs, but we decided to move back and help the family business out,” Stephanie said. James also returned to help the restaurant as a cook.

With the family back together and sometimes all in the same small kitchen at once, as Seifert knowingly says, “there are a lot of pluses and minuses to a family business.” For one, family arguments and annoyances can manifest themselves at work. “Tempers can rise,” Erik said. At times, it can also be challenging separating family and work roles. “I work with my brother, but he’s also my co-worker. I have to be able to stand up to him and tell him to get back on task,” Stephanie said. “And at work, Erik and I are co-workers, not husband and wife.” Additionally, vacations can be scarce. “It’s hard to take time off and spend time together as a family because you’re always working,” Stephanie said.

But for the Seifert-Eddings, the benefits of running a restaurant together seem to outweigh the negatives. “Along with challenges come greater rewards because we take ownership of our work. It’s our livelihood,” Erik said. “You have more control over what you do.” Working with family members has also allowed Stephanie to form stronger family bonds. “We’re more connected with each other. We have trust in each person,” she said.

The Seifert-Eddings, though, have taken the extra step to extend their strong sense of home and family to their diners. With customers’ well-being in mind, they insist on always using fresh ingredients to prepare flavorful plates of burritos and enchiladas. “We want our food as fresh and as healthy as possible,” Stephanie said. “We make everything in-house except for our tamales and tortillas,” Seifert added, “But we source local tamales and tortillas. I’d much rather be out of something than use a subprime product.”

The family also strives to welcome its customers warmly by trying to include them in the La Salita family. “I come from an Italian background. [In Italian culture], food and family are not dissimilar; it’s the same with New Mexican food,” Seifert said. “Part of your food is part of life. Customers become part of your life.” Seifert recognizes La Salita regulars and remembers their favorite orders.

La Salita’s commitment to serving its diners home-cooked meals has shown in their awards and expansion. La Salita was recently named a culinary treasure by New Mexico’s Tourism Department, as part of its New Mexico True campaign. La Salita also sells jars of its red chile, green chile, and salsa online and in stores. The family is currently working on increasing catering and delivery and in the future will perhaps open a second location.

Take a visit to La Salita if you are looking for a restaurant with delicious New Mexican food cooked by a kindhearted family.