Forget about chips and salsa. At the Irvine-based 3 Roots Mexican Cocina, a complimentary basket of Chicharrones de harina – crunchy, deep-fried wheat chips, splashed with lime and spices – is where it all begins. 3 Roots Mexican Cocina opened its doors in February, hoping to impress patrons with never-before-seen concepts that push the boundaries of traditional Mexican cuisine. It was established by a group of three friends who were all displaced from their restaurant industry jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In terms of the namesake, Hernandez said the team came up with the name 3 Roots in the midst of the pandemic, as a way to represent the individual heritages of the three owners. It was through these discussions that the trio would ultimately decide on the blueprint for the 3 Roots menu.