Deb’s Chica Loca Salsa LLC

started home based in 2010.

   Officially established in 2022, Deborah Quezada Hernandez is the proud owner and CEO of this small local business serving the NW Indiana region.  We specialize in quite a variety of delicious, authentic and fresh tasting salsas and appetizers. We are market our products through direct sales offering pick up, delivery and shipping services. We have gift baskets and gift sets for all occasions. We offer salsa bars for private, commercial and corporate events. You can also find us at farmers markets, festivals, and craft shows. Our salsa is known for it’s freshness and taste. We love to share our signature recipes featuring many of our salsas because “It’s more than just for dippin and more than just for Mexican cuisine!” 

Deb’s Chica Loca Salsa

My Story

“As a young girl growing up on the South Eastside of Chicago. Some of my best childhood memories were watching my dad who would work wonders in our kitchen. My dad was born and raised in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico. He came to the United States when he was a young boy. He dedicated his life working for Wisconsin Steel. My dad was a very hard working man and was a great provider, always willing to go without so that we could have. When it came to his home life, he loved spending time in our kitchen. He had such a talent for coming up with his own creations in a flash just using what was on hand. His variety of salsas were definitely a staple in our kitchen. My favorite childhood dish he made for us was Chilaquiles, a delicious Mexican breakfast.

When the mills were closing down, my dad had lost his job after 25 years. That was a really rough time for us. Even though we went through this very hard season financially, you would have never known it when it came to family meals because of his passion and talent for being so creative as he cooked with his heart and with what we had on hand. His love for us definitely showed in all of his dishes. Food was truly our bond with one another. I learned how to cook from both my mom and dad by the time I was 9 years old and really enjoyed it. I still do to this day. It’s my love language!

Once I had it was evident that I too was blessed with the same talents as my dad. Creating quite a few salsa recipes of my own and used them in my own dishes, just like my dad did. My salsas and salsa dish creations were brought to parties and gatherings, they were always a constant hit. On every occasion I was encouraged to jar up my salsas and sell them, so one day I decided to. I am a firm believer that God works behind the scenes in our lives in so many ways.

One evening, back in 2010 I was working as a bartender and this man came into the bar, who I did not really know, and he gave me this big tequila bottle filled with peppers, oil and herbs, the bottle looked beautiful. at that moment was my inspiration to start selling my own salsas. I started out with 3 of my recipes and sold them to family, friends, coworkers, bar patrons, etc. Right from the start I obtained a lot of sales and regular loyal customers, who love my salsa and continue to shop with me today. It fills my heart with joy to know how much people enjoy my salsas and dips.

While I was pursuing my dreams behind the scenes I battled with a life long addiction and mental health, This was a huge road block for me moving forward to accomplish any part of my dream. In 2012, I married my husband. I became a born again Christian and gave my life to Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. I soon overcame my addictions and started living a clean and sober life, 14 years and still going strong. A couple of years later I found out I had cancer. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphatic Lymphoma and still battling it today since 2017.

In 2021 Covid hit while during my chemo treatments. This caused me to be hospitalized, bedridden and on oxygen for almost a year. I am living proof that God does not let anything go to waste. With all of the down time, which took a toll on me because I was used to being busy and productive. Before allowing depression to take over, I decided to put that down time to good use. I learned how to use a computer, and took some business classes, for free by the way. I am excited to say during this time I created quite a few more recipes to add to my line of 4 salsa creations to 13.

After receiving all of my licenses, insurance, tax IDs, I became an LLC all in a matter of a year. How great is that? What an exciting journey, learning and growing. My hard work and dedication was starting to pay off. I was now participating in craft, vendor shows and festivals selling my salsas direct.

In 2023, my dad, 86 years old came to live with my husband and I because he could no longer care for himself. I loved my dad so much, there was no way we were gonna put him into a nursing home. I took time off from my job and put the salsa business on the back burner to care for my dad full time. We were blessed to have my dad for the last year of his life. One last birthday, one last Christmas, we made some memories. He broke our hearts and passed away, 87 years old on January 25, 2024. I am so thankful for him and will never forget the things he taught me and how much he loved us. I was blessed to be able to give back to him what he gave to me. He enjoyed my cooking and my salsas as much as I loved his.

Today, Deb’s Chica Loca Salsa LLC is back in the groove of things. We offer an amazing line of salsas to choose from and now offering some appetizer products to build up our business and better serve our customers. We are local, serving the NW Indiana region. Our goal is to specialize in providing high quality and amazing fresh tasting homemade salsas offering “a lil something for everyone”, and while sharing our delicious and easy recipes, Deb’s Chica Loca Salsa can be a staple in every kitchen because “It’s more than just for dippin!” and “more than just for Mexican cuisine.” To spice things up, we are now serving our signature dips, Mexican Street Corn and Chili Cheese Dip. More signature apps and dips coming up in the future. We also are proud to announce that 2 of our top selling salsas are now sold in our first store, The Wildflower Boutique in Highland, Indiana. We are excited as we are working hard to get on more shelves of more stores.

Our mission: Faithfully flavored, cultivating quality ingredients, excellent service, creating relationships, glorifying God with amazing salsa.

Our vision: To evolve my dad’s legacy into a brand of premium, standout products. We are reclaiming family dinnertime with simple, soul-warming flavors that prove that our salsas and dips are more than just for dippin.

Deborah Q. Hernandez

Owner/CEO

Deb’s Chica Loca Salsa LLC

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if you were working for the Lord and not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23

For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son so that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16