Salas Mexican Restaurant

Viviano Salas served his first tacos and enchiladas in Lawton in 1957. He operated his restaurant on Cache Road for about a year. Around 1959 he opened up on Sheridan Road and ran a small restaurant there for about 8 years. Many Lawton natives still fondly remember lining up for a seat at that location and waving at Salas as they passed through the kitchen to be seated. This place started out with a seating capacity of 40, and grew to about 100 as he added on. Mr. Salas eventually sold this business, bought the property at 2nd and Lee and operated a wholesale and manufacturing business, making and selling tortillas and other items.

After 3 years, in 1970 he opened this existing restaurant pretty much as it is today. We can now seat 220. The glassed-in kitchen was and still is a novelty. He ran the restaurant with the help of his wife, daughters, mother-in-law, other family members, loyal friends and co-workers. He worked hard and enjoyed great success until his death in 1985.

Today the business is still family-owned and operated by Tony and Julia Salas. They came from the hotel industry to run the restaurant in 1992. Tony is Viviano’s younger half-brother, and was trained by his brother in Mexican cuisine. The recipes used today are the same ones Viviano Salas started with almost a half-century ago. While there have been many changes in Lawton over the years, Salas’ has held onto its roots. Salas Mexican Restaurant is still a very successful, high volume landmark in Lawton, Oklahoma. This can be credited to hard work, consistently superior food quality, fast and friendly service, wonderful, loyal customers, and maintaining high standards for cleanliness. The fact that these standards are embraced by our entire staff is what keeps Salas’ continually rated among the best in Lawton dining.