History

We are Alfonso and Claudia, the owners of Monarca. Our story is rooted in the pursuit of the American dream, moving from Mexico with very little, growing our family, and building a life through hard work, resilience, and a deep love for food and culture. Monarca is our way of sharing that journey with the community we now call home. Inspired by the Monarca butterfly and its extraordinary migration from Mexico to the United States, the name reflects our own path and the heritage we have built here in Utah, which we proudly consider our permanent home.

Our culinary vision is shaped by both tradition and global experience. Alfonso has trained at Cocina Hermanos Torres, a three–Michelin-star restaurant in Barcelona and part of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, bringing refined techniques and modern perspectives to Mexican cuisine. He is also regularly invited to participate as a speaker in local and international culinary forums, most recently at the Foro Mundial de la Gastronomía Mexicana in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.

Through modern Mexican cuisine infused with our personal story, we strive to raise the bar for the Salt Lake City and greater Utah dining scene. We believe community is everything, not just being in the community, but truly of it. That belief guides how we cook, how we serve, and how we grow.

Our promise is simple and unwavering: We are community