SALISBURY — Wanting her new restaurant to reflect what she loves, Maritza Jaimes has incorporated the foods she grew up on along with the family and social atmosphere that are a big part of who she is.

Salisbury Family Social Restaurant is located downtown, a place that Jaimes said she remembers going to as a child and how it used to be, a place where she shopped and dined. So when the opportunity came about that the building became available, she tried “to see if we could lease it to bring in the food that I grew up eating, the flavors that I enjoyed eating as a kid,” the flavors that her mom, Maria G. Lopez, who is from Tlatlaya, Mexico, cooks.

Noting that she has been in the area since she was four, she grew up in Spencer and calls Salisbury home and therefore “thought it would be a good idea to open something here in downtown.”

She opened up the restaurant, 127 S. Main Street, on Jan. 11, with a soft opening followed by a grand opening the following Thursday. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

Lopez’s passion was to open a restaurant and cook, and so the mother-daughter duo partnered together in 2021 to open one in Granite Quarry, Dona Lupes Mexican Restaurant. Jaimes’ background included work as a medical assistant, which she did for six years so this new venture was for her about customer service and interacting and helping people.

Sharing that at times she wondered if this is what she wanted for herself, Jaimes said she “put it all into God’s hands to trust in him,” trusting and “having faith in God to show me where I need to be and which direction it is.”

She added that she has discovered that this is something she loves doing, “so I decided to continue it and try to keep her flavors alive,” speaking of her mom’s special meals.

Jaimes’ experience has expanded as she noted that she has worn many different caps including owner, helping cook, taking orders in the front, making drinks, doing payroll, doing advertising, designing, creating the menu, creating other ideas, “a little bit of everything.”

The process of starting the restaurant in Salisbury began in June of last year, Jaimes said, and took longer than anticipated, “but all in God’s time,” she replied with a smile. And, it was likewise supposed to be a partnership with her mom; however, she noted that unfortunately, her mom got sick and wasn’t able to continue running the Granite Quarry one and they had to close it down. 

Jaimes shared that her mom has been a very big influence and inspiration in her life and “has been the one that has taught me everything and continues to teach me every day.”

And her mom continues to help and support by sharing her passion for cooking by helping train the restaurant staff.

Salisbury Family Social Restaurant, named for multiple reasons, as Jaimes wanted to name it for the place where she was mainly raised and for the fact that she is very family oriented person and social “so we can socialize and interact” and for people to “come in and enjoy the food and what we have to offer them.” 

The menu at the restaurant is varied and offers Mexican food including Mexican rice, refried beans, fajita bowls, original street tacos, along with other fare such as burgers.

When asked about any speciality they have at the restaurant, she noted it is “probably our peluza,” a dish that includes green and red bell peppers, onions, a choice of meat, with a bed of rice and melted queso on top.

“We have a variety of things that I just enjoy eating and want to share with everyone,” she said.

Larger than the Granite Quarry restaurant, this one offers a variety of things that the entire family can enjoy together during their time there including arcade games and multiple choices of board and Nintendo games along with a chalk wall where all ages can go and draw.

Jaimes shared that she has tried to incorporate different games because as a mother herself with two children, she understands that not everyone will have that extra money it would take to play the arcade games along with paying for a meal. Therefore, she has supplied the board games and other fun, free activities at the restaurant that her patrons can enjoy, and she has more plans in mind for the future.

One such idea is a party room where a group could come in and have a private party if they wish to do so. She anticipates having popcorn, snow cone and cotton candy machines for people to use.

“It doesn’t just have to be kids,” Jaimes noted with a grin. “Adults are more than welcome to bring back their childhood.”

Additional plans for the room will include a microphone and set up for trivia, singing or more.

Jaimes reflected on the days when people would gather to eat and interact and not just be on their phones, and therefore, she wants people to come and socialize and enjoy their time at Salisbury Family Social Restaurant.

“I definitely hope they can find a place that they can come in and enjoy the food and enjoy each other’s company,” she said.