Life & Work with David Aguirre of San Fernando

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Aguirre.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
No Sabo Café started as something much bigger than a business, it was a dream that belonged to my brother and I. He always wanted to open a small neighborhood restaurant in our community, a place where people felt at home and could enjoy food that reflected both our culture and the life we grew up with here in the States. After he passed, I felt a strong pull to carry that dream forward in his honor. That’s where the name “No Sabo” comes from, it’s playful, it’s cultural, and for us it represents love, identity, and family.

When we opened our doors in Downtown San Fernando, the goal wasn’t just to sell food. It was to create something that belonged to the community. Our menu has what I like to call a No Sabo spin, dishes that mix traditional Mexican flavors with the American influences we grew up around. For example, our No Sabo Burrito has eggs, chorizo, Portuguese sausage, tater tots, cheese, black beans, and guacamole salsa. It sounds wild, but it’s become a local favorite. We’re also known for our Birria Egg Rolls and Gorditas, and one thing that sets us apart is that we cook everything using 100% avocado oil. That decision was intentional, we wanted to serve food that tastes amazing but also feels better for you.

Today, No Sabo Café is really a reflection of my brother’s spirit, our family, and our community. It hasn’t always been easy, small business ownership comes with long days, hard decisions, and plenty of challenges but seeing people connect with the story and the food makes it worth it. Every time someone says they love a dish, or they bring their family back to eat with us, it reminds me why we started. We’re still growing, still learning, and still honoring the dream that inspired it all.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think any small business owner would say the road has been smooth and we’re no exception. Opening and growing No Sabo Café has been incredibly rewarding, but it’s also come with a lot of challenges behind the scenes.

One of the biggest hurdles has been simply wearing every hat at once — running operations, managing staff, overseeing food quality, handling finances, marketing the business, and still trying to be present for my family and my own life. There’s no handbook for any of this, and a lot of the time you’re learning as you go, making the best decisions you can with the information you have.

Financially, it’s also tough. Food costs rise, labor costs rise, and as a small independent café you don’t have the kind of safety net big companies do. There have been moments where we’ve had to stretch every dollar, rethink menu items, and constantly balance staying affordable for the community while still keeping the doors open. Receiving the $10,000 San Fernando Small Business Grant was a huge blessing, but even with support like that, you’re always aware that every day counts.

Then there’s the emotional side. Because No Sabo Café is tied so deeply to my brother’s memory, there’s a lot of heart in everything we do. Some days the pressure of wanting to make sure I honor him while also serving the community well can feel heavy. But that same connection is also what keeps me going when it gets hard.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I’ve always been a creator. Before No Sabo Café ever existed, I was deeply involved in the art and creative scene. I’ve been the lead singer in a band, I’ve been part of an improv group, and since 2016 I’ve run a pin company called PINetration, where I design collectible enamel pins. Art, humor, storytelling, community, those have always been huge parts of my life.

So when No Sabo Café came to life, it wasn’t just about opening a restaurant. It was about taking all of that creative energy and channeling it into something everyone understands, food. Food really is a universal language. It brings people together, breaks down walls, and lets you express culture, identity, and personality in such a real way.

What I’m most proud of is that our story is real. We named the café in honor of my late brother and his dream of opening a small restaurant in our community. Every day I walk into No Sabo Café, I’m reminded that this place is bigger than me. It’s about family, memory, culture, creativity, and the city of San Fernando. Seeing customers connect with the food and the story, sometimes smiling, sometimes emotional, or sometimes just hungry, that means everything.

What sets us apart is that No Sabo isn’t just a brand, it’s a feeling. It’s playful but meaningful. It’s about growing up between cultures and finding pride in that identity. It’s art, music, humor, food, and heart all coming together in one little café. And I try to bring that same creative spirit into everything we do from the menu, to the environment, to how we show up for the community.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is family. My wife and kids are my constant inspiration. They’re the reason I push through the long days and the tough moments. And my mom has always been my number one cheerleader. She believed in me even when I didn’t fully believe in myself, and that kind of unconditional support shapes you. Family is really the foundation of everything I do.

Beyond that, standing up for what you believe in matters deeply to me. In today’s world, it’s easy to go along with the crowd or stay quiet, but I think it’s important to stay rooted in your values whether that’s through the way you treat people, the kind of business you build, or how you show up for your community. With No Sabo Café, I try to live that out every day. We’re not just serving food, we’re creating a space that reflects love, culture, creativity, respect, and authenticity.

At the end of the day, if my kids can look at me and see someone who worked hard, loved deeply, honored family, and stood up for what mattered — then I’ve done something right.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nosabocafe.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nosabocafe

Image Credits
Myrna Martinez