El Centro
1239 Adams Ave.El Centro, CA 92243
- Hours
- Sunday to Wednesday, 8 am to 8 pm · Thursday to Saturday, 8 am to 8:30 pm
- Phone
- (760) 970-4333
We are a family business.
Since 1959 the Soto family has seasoned carne asada for the Imperial Valley. One grocery counter in Calexico grew into two stores, a taqueria and more than 35 awards.
From one grocery counter to the entire Imperial Valley
How a family recipe became a household name across the desert southwest.
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1959
Where it all started
Jesus Soto and his wife, Rosa, build a new life in the then small town of Calexico, where he manages and later co-owns a grocery store, and creates the carne asada recipe Kennedy's Karne is still known for.
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Early days
Growing up in the store
Young Daniel Soto helps out around the store, packing potatoes and sorting glass soda bottles, beans, rice and eggs.
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Later
Kennedy's Market opens in Heber
Mr. Soto sells his half of the Calexico store and moves to Heber, converting an old hotel and post office into Kennedy's Market.
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1982
Rebuilding after the fire
Kennedy's Market burns down. The family reopens half a block down the street.
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1993
Daniel takes over
After Mr. Soto's passing, Daniel runs the business, opening stores in El Centro and Escondido and the family's first restaurant, Kennedy's Taco.
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Today
From the valley to your grill
With stores in El Centro and Yuma, our seasonings now ship nationwide.
35+
Awards across the desert southwest
Voted the best by our neighbors in the Imperial Valley, Yuma and San Diego County.
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Best Carne Asada
Readers' Choice, Kennedy's Taco, 2019
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Best Carne Asada
Readers' Choice, Kennedy's Taco, 2018
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Best Meat Market
Yuma's Best
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Favorite Guacamole
Yuma's Best
Taste the recipe that started it all
The Original Award Winning Carne Asada Seasoning, straight from our counter to your grill.
Visit the counter
Open every day. Stop by the counter.
El Centro, CA 92243