On Thursday — in front of a large crowd of family, friends and well-wishers — Javier’s founder Javier Chavez Sr. was presented with a proclamation declaring August 6, 2026, Javier Chavez Sr. Day in Ogden and a key to the city by Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski at the restaurant’s location on Harrison Boulevard.

Chavez told the crowd that the recognition he received was for his family and for those who have supported the restaurant for years.

“This is for you,” he said. “I just make good food and hire good people who make the food.”

A native of Zacatecas, Mexico, Chavez hadn’t expected to come to America or get into the restaurant industry, telling the audience he dreamed of being a professional baseball player, an engineer or even a competitive runner.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

“I found running and found something different — I found out running is the best,” he said. “In ’76, I went to the Olympic trials and tried to be in the Olympics in 1976 and I failed. I ran 3:41.03 — supposed to be 3:41 in the 1500 and it was the end of my career.”

While there would be no trip to Montreal for Chavez, there would be opportunities elsewhere: In Ogden where he would earn a track and field scholarship at Weber State University.

Then in 1991, Chavez and his family founded Javier’s Authentic Mexican Food in 1991.

“We started 35 years ago in a little store over on 29th Street with 10 tables,” he told the Standard-Examiner. “My wife and I worked together and started the business on February 4, 1991.”

He said that despite the growth of Javier’s into six restaurants in Weber and Davis counties, in many ways, little has changed over the last three-and-a-half decades.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

“For us, it’s the same — we have the quality food, people working together,” he said. “Working with the community, for us, I haven’t seen change very much.”

Chavez said working alongside the community has helped the restaurant stand the test of time and he’s hopeful that this commitment will carry the Javier’s well into the future.

“I hope we’re going to keep going the same way,” he said. “We serve a good product. I hope we’re still going — maybe not me but my kids will be part of it.”

Nadolski told the Standard-Examiner that being able to recognize Ogden locals for their contributions to the community is one of the best parts of his job.

“Javier and his family are people Ogden ought to celebrate,” he said. “We as a community have celebrated them for years by being a part of the restaurant and supporting it, but when someone’s life and their whole story adds up to everything that they’ve done and the selfless service that they’ve done it with, they find success and turn that success back to others, that’s just the kind of person, the kind of spirit and the kind of building of community that we honor.”

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

Chavez said it was an extremely moving experience to be recognized.

“It made me cry,” he said. “I cried because it was so emotional, especially with the people from the community. It made me so honored, so proud, so happy, very emotional.”

Javier’s wife Amada Chavez, who has also been an integral part of the restaurant’s history, told the Standard-Examiner that she’s grateful for the the restaurant’s 35 years in business.

“I’m very grateful that we have these blessings,” she said. “In my mind, I never thought we’d have so many years in the business. I think what’s kept us ahead and persevering is the love for our family, our love for our community.”

She added that she’s confident in the future of Javier’s.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

“I’ve read stories about businesses that are over 100 years (old), and who knows — we may be there, with the support of the community and the new generations,” she said.