Santa Ana’s food scene is getting a sweet new addition: Don Churros Gomez (or simply “Don Churros”), a name beloved by local fans and a favorite of Disneyland employees, is finally establishing its first U.S. brick-and-mortar location in downtown Santa Ana. While the churros masters have been a fixture on the local food truck scene, with an already-established spot in Anaheim, they’re now ready to put down permanent roots.
The new location, opening at 215 W. 4th St., will act as the company’s hub, a 2,200-square foot building designed to showcase Don Churros’ fare in bigger fashion. “Everything will be on display so people can see our craft,” said co-owner Jaime Nuñes-Gomez, who runs the business alongside his brother, Ricky.
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The menu, similar to the one at their Anaheim food truck, will feature two styles of churros: the traditional thin variety more common in the states, and the thicker Don Churros style (churro grueso), unique to the Jalisco highlands, according to Nuñes-Gomez. Customers can also order the visually stunning thread or “spiral” churro (the rosca).
A mural by local artist Damin Lujan, a.k.a. Zaoone, is on a wall at Don Churros Gomez on W 4th Street in Santa Ana, CA. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Don Churros Gomez is located on W 4th Street in Santa Ana, CA. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A mural by artist Damin Lugan, a.k.a Zaoone, is on the back wall of Don Churros Gomez on W 4th Street in Santa Ana, CA. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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A mural by local artist Damin Lujan, a.k.a. Zaoone, is on a wall at Don Churros Gomez on W 4th Street in Santa Ana, CA. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nuñes-Gomez emphasizes the purity of the restaurant’s product, noting that they even import their caramel and condensed milk from Mexico to ensure authenticity. He also notes that his churros, minus some of the dairy-based additions, are inherently vegan.
“The churros have been vegan from day one,” he said. “In fact, churros are supposed to be vegan.” His grandfather, who founded the company in 1969 “wasn’t trying to create a vegan churro, that’s just how you make them.” He added, “If you’re a good, solid dough master, you didn’t add egg, you didn’t add butter or any kind of animal fat to your batter.” With all of their churros made from scratch and lacking any type of preservative, he said they’re “very pure and that is why they’re so very light.”
He goes on to say that he hopes to open in the first week of November. Nuñes-Gomez notes that opening in Santa Ana is a form of homecoming for him and a strategic move. “To kind of get back to our roots in Santa Ana, it’s pretty cool,” said Nuñes-Gomez, who was born in Mexico but raised in Santa Ana from the age of eight months old. He added that the area is “poised for another big culinary destination” moment. Keeping the local theme going, local artist Damin Lujan, aka Zaoone, created the mural for the interior wall.
The “spiral” churro (the rosca) at Don Churros Gomez. (Photo courtesy of Don Churros Gomez)
Don Churros Gomez is located on W 4th Street in Santa Ana, CA. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A mural by local artist Damin Lujan, a.k.a. Zaoone, is on a wall at Don Churros Gomez on W 4th Street in Santa Ana, CA. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The “spiral” churro (the rosca) at Don Churros Gomez. (Photo courtesy of Don Churros Gomez)
Don Churros Gomez traces its lineage back to Yahualica, Jalisco, a region in Mexico’s highlands known for its rich soil and incredible produce, according to Nuñes-Gomez. While their Mexico-based eatery is called Churreria Gómez (in business since 1969), the U.S. counterparts are christened Don Churros Gomez, an homage to their father. Jaime and Ricky are the third generation of the family leading the churros brigade.
Guests can also look forward to hot or iced Chocolate Abuelita, churro affogato, churro funnel cake and more.
If you simply cannot wait for the Santa Ana spot to open, head to Don Churros Gomez’s food truck in Anaheim at 440 S. Anaheim Blvd.