Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant will operate a new restaurant at Fresno Yosemite International Airport's new terminal expansion. Image via Los Amigos Facebook page

Another local restaurant will be represented among the culinary options at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT).

Airport officials announced Friday that Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant, a Fresno staple for more than 30 years, will operate a 2,000 square foot mariachi-and-folklorico themed restaurant at FAT’s new terminal expansion concourse opening this fall.

The establishment owned by Ricardo Flores Gaona currently has a storefront restaurant in near Shaw and Blackstone Avenues, as well as a second concept in Downtown Fresno, Mezcal.

Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant will offer a traditional sit-down dining menu, full-service bar with specialty beverages, a panadería serving fresh-baked pastries, grab-and-go items, coffee and more.

“It is with great honor that Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant brings the authentic taste of Mexico to FAT. We are thrilled to share our vibrant flavors and culinary traditions with travelers from around the world, providing them with a memorable dining experience during their journey,” said Flores Gaona in a statement.

Airport officials teamed up with the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation to identify “the most fitting and traditional” Mexican cuisine for the airport, according to a news release. After a year of meeting, Los Amigos was selected to operate the concept through a licensing agreement with food and beverage concessionaire SSP America, based in Virginia.

City of Fresno Director of Aviation Henry Thompson said this new concept gives traveling diners what they want.

 “A local Mexican dining concept has been a common traveler request and being able to bring the Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant experience to FAT is timely with initiatives to offer new amenities inspired by our travelers,” Thompson said.

This latest announcement is part of an ongoing effort to bring more locally based options to FAT. In 2023, SSP awarded a contract to Mad Duck Craft Brewing to operate a restaurant in its second-floor space in the post-security area. Airport officials say the concept should be complete by fall 2025, along with an Ike’s Love & Sandwiches location.

Peet’s Coffee was also awarded a contract to operate in the post-security section. It opened in August 2023 and will undergo a refresh this summer, said Vikkie Calederon, airport public relations officer.

“As a part of the new Concessions program, the Airport is adding a total of 3 new dining spaces: (1) Einstein Bros – in the main lobby; (2) Ike’s Love & Sandwiches near the lower gates post security; and (3) Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant in the new terminal expansion Concourse,” Calderon said in an email. “In total the Airport will have 4 dining spaces and 1 coffee space. This an increase of 3 dining spaces from previous Airport food and beverage operations.”