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Our Story
The Adobe has been serving up delicious Mexican food to the wonderful people of Grand Rapids for nearly 50 years. From its start as one of the first Mexican restaurants in the area to its expanded service at three locations, the Adobe takes pride in its longevity and commitment to feeding West Michigan.
In 1969, the Adobe opened its doors as the first Mexican restaurant in Grand Rapids. On the corner of West Fulton Street and Seward Avenue, the restaurant offered a taste of Mexico to the West side of Grand Rapids. In conjunction with the main restaurant, the In & Out was built across the street as a drive through for fast Mexican food on the go. Serving as an early foundation to the business sector and landscape of the West Fulton area, the pair of buildings remained at the forefront of the growth and development of the city.
Making room and allowing for further expansion and growth in the city, the Adobe and its drive-thru location the In & Out joined under one roof in 2002. While the building of the new Adobe In & Out may look quite different from the old to many longtime customers, the delicious food served inside maintains the integrity of the original recipes while still improving to fit the tastes of the people being served.
Keeping up with the blooming city of Grand Rapids, the Adobe expanded in 2004 to add two locations to serve greater Grand Rapids. On Chicago Drive in Jenison, the Adobe In & Out offers drive-thru and walk-up window service while on Leonard Street just off Fuller, the Adobe In & Out offers drive-thru and dine-in service.
Although the Adobe has grown and changed over the years, the same dedication to customer service and offering always tasty meals has remained. Recognizing the beauty of simplicity and appreciating the comfort of familiarity, the Adobe In & Out has remained a family run business from the start, committed to consistent service of delicious Mexican food using fresh wholesome ingredients.
Whether you are visiting Grand Rapids, just passing through or have been eating here since childhood, we hope you come see us at the Adobe In & Out and let us cook you something great!
Grand Rapids West Side Staple Aims to Grow in 2024
Adobe In & Out Announces Name Change, Adds New Walker Restaurant, Relocates Fulton Street Location and Strengthens Leadership Team
Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jan. 9, 2024 – After over 50 years of serving Grand Rapids, Adobe In & Out has announced a new name, with plans to open a Walker restaurant, relocate its West Side location and strengthen its leadership team.
Established in 1969 as one of the first Mexican restaurants in Grand Rapids, the family-owned restaurant will rename to Adobe Mexican Kitchen. Helmed by third-generation owner Spencer Boorsma, the new identity rollout comes after more than six months of work with Grand Rapids creative agency TBX to develop the restaurant’s new name, logo, branding and website to better reflect its commitment to quality food and service, which have long been hallmarks of the restaurant.
The new website, which will go live in the first quarter of 2024, will feature updates to enhance the customer experience, including online ordering and updated catering offerings.
“Our new name and brand better reflect our restaurants, which offer a welcoming, family-focused environment from the minute you walk in the door,” Boorsma said. “At Adobe Mexican Kitchen, quick service is just as important as quality food. Nothing comes through the door processed – everything is made fresh daily, from our signature hot sauces to our mouthwatering chips.
“We are pleased to unveil our new brand along with plans to continue building our team and growing our footprint to meet customer needs.”
The Adobe currently has two locations – 617 Fulton St. W and 4410 Chicago Drive SW– with plans to add a third in Walker in June 2024.
Boorsma recently demolished the former Rosedale Floral Building at 3970 Lake Michigan Drive NW in the Standale area of Walker to make way for a new Adobe. The 2,200-square-foot facility will include a drive-thru, a take-out order counter and seasonal outdoor seating. The Adobe plans to hire approximately 25 part- and full-time positions for the new restaurant, which is slated to open in June.
As part of its commitment to growth and the West Side, the Adobe’s Fulton Street restaurant will relocate less than a mile away to 527 Bridge St. NW, the site of the former El Sombrero. The 2,400-square-foot restaurant will feature indoor dining, a drive-thru and a late-night walk-up window.
“Our new Bridge Street restaurant will allow us to serve even more customers while still calling the West Side home,” Boorsma said. “We are grateful for the generations of customers who have supported our team over the years. We have proudly grown with the booming West Side and will continue to expand to serve new generations of loyal customers.”
Boorsma plans to open the Bridge Street restaurant in August, with operations at the Fulton Street location continuing until then. Construction Simplified is serving as the general contractor and MEM Design LLC is the architect of record.
No changes are planned for the Chicago Drive location, which is home to a dine-in restaurant and drivethru.
To help with the rebrand and growth, Boorsma recently brought on experienced food leader Tim Phillips as a partner. Phillips spent the past three decades at Gordon Food Service, where he served as a food representative for the Adobe and other local restaurants. Phillips worked closely with Boorsma and his father, learning the ins and outs of the Adobe.
“I’ve partnered with many restaurants over the years, and the Adobe’s commitment to using quality ingredients and providing stellar service has always stood out to me,” Phillips said. “It’s an honor to help bring a brand I’ve admired for so long to a new level in West Michigan.”
The Adobe was established by Boorsma’s grandfather, Richard Leonard, serving as an early foundation to the business sector and landscape of the West Fulton area. The In & Out was built across Fulton Street as a drive-thru in 1969, and the two came together under a single roof in 2002. In 2002, the restaurant was passed down to Boorsma’s parents, Jeff and Robin Boorsma.
Everything on the Adobe’s menu is made in-house using wholesome ingredients and family recipes, resulting in food that is always consistent and comforting. The restaurant’s drive-thrus make it easy for customers who want delicious Mexican food on the go. The Adobe caters, so customers can make their favorite meals the life of their parties.
“Although the Adobe has expanded and now operates under a new brand, our commitment to serving quality food with fast, friendly service has never changed,” Boorsma said. “We will continue to focus on quality food prepared fresh, ample portions and speedy service.”
Boorsma credits much of the Adobe’s success to Jessica Smith, who joined the Adobe Mexican Kitchen in 2004 as a part-time team member and has used her passion and industry expertise to build the brand and a loyal customer following. She is an integral part of the team and serves as the Adobe’s operations manager.
Before purchasing the Adobe from his father in 2020, Boorsma managed the restaurants for eight years.
Boorsma serves as a board member of the West Fulton Business Association. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Hope College, where he started his work in real estate investing and development. While earning his degree, Boorsma began his career in the food industry by working at Cantina Mexican Grill at 2770 E. Paris Ave. SE, which was founded by Leonard and is currently owned and operated by Boorsma’s aunt and her son, Carl Sydow.
“For me, the best part about owning a restaurant is the people side of the business,” Boorsma said. “My grandfather and father believed owning a business is the best vehicle to help people, and that’s a value I continue to carry on. Some of our team members have been with us since the first restaurant opened over 50 years ago, and that’s the achievement I’m most proud of.
“I look forward to leading the Adobe’s new chapter and welcoming new customers and team members through our doors.”
About Adobe Mexican Kitchen
Established in 1969 as one of the first Mexican restaurants in Grand Rapids, Adobe Mexican Kitchen is a family-owned, fast-casual restaurant that offers always-fresh food in a welcoming atmosphere. A staple of the West Side, Adobe Mexican Kitchen has proudly grown with Grand Rapids and has two locations – Fulton Street and Chicago Drive – with plans to grow. Whether you dine in or use the drive-thru, you will be served by a welcoming, friendly team committed to stellar service.