Our Story

Eat Well, Live Inspired™

Following a trip to Cabo San Lucas on the Baja Coast, Costa Vida founders JD and Sarah Gardner were inspired with a vision. While the surf lapped at their feet and they enjoyed the delicious freshly made local cuisine, they brainstormed how they could bring this vibrant lifestyle and incredible cuisine home with them. The result was the first Costa Vida location in Layton, Utah. Being true to the Baja experience, all of the Costa Vida food is made fresh in each restaurant’s kitchen, every day. Each tortilla is hand crafted daily and served hot, ensuring that no customer will ever have to eat a store-made tortilla pulled from a bag. The hand-selected sweet pork, shredded chicken and beef, and chipotle chicken is perfectly seasoned and slow-cooked for several hours each day to create the signature intense aroma and flavors of Costa Vida.

Intense Flavors & Intense Dedication

At Costa Vida we live by the mantra of “excellence with every customer, every meal, every day.” We are confident that this can only be achieved by staying true to our roots and serving the most deliciousfood to wow every customer that comes through our doors. In an industry that continues to dumb down their products, we believe a meal made the hard way is the right way and will win the day. Click here to see just how fresh and delicious our food is.

Our dedication to our food is founded in our relentless commitment to our customer and their experience with Costa Vida. Since our franchisee is our #1 customer, you can be certain that ensuring your success will always be our highest priority.