Democrat James Talarico says Republican-backed tariffs on Mexican tomatoes are driving up costs for restaurants and could threaten a Texas dining staple: free chips and salsa.
In an Oct. 3 Facebook post, the Talarico campaign said tariffs backed by his opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, “could end free chips and salsa at restaurants” by driving up tomato costs.
The post comes months after the Trump administration, in July, announced a 17% tariff on fresh tomatoes from Mexico to boost production for American farmers, growers, and business owners. Since 2015, tomatoes imported from Mexico have accounted for about 90% of the United States' fresh tomato imports, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife report.
So, is the claim true?
Kind of.
Rising
tomato and other food costs have led some Texas restaurants to charge for chips and salsa or reconsider offering them for free, according to reports by San Antonio Business Journal, D Magazine, and Texas Monthly.
San Antonio’s Casa Rio, for example, currently lists chips and salsa for $2 on its menu. Tripadvisor reviews indicate the restaurant was charging for chips and salsa by at least 2024, predating the latest concerns over tomato tariffs.
Other Texas restaurants have also moved away from free chips and salsa. Texas Monthly reported that Tres Arcos, an upscale Tex-Mex restaurant in San Antonio, charges $3.95 for chips and salsa unless the table spends at least $25 on other food, in which case they are complimentary.
Texas Monthly also reported that Tex-Mex diner Habanero Cafe in Austin charges $5.25 for a basket of chips and salsa, while De Nada Cantina charges $7.50, though customers can get free chip refills.
Despite these restaurants charging for the appetizer, there is little evidence that restaurants are broadly eliminating complimentary chips and salsa specifically because of the tomato tariff.
How much have tomato prices risen?
Bureau of Labor Statistics data published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis." id="92135525007">
Federal data show fresh field-grown tomato costs are trending down.
Tomatoes averaged about $1.98 per pound nationally in August, down from about $2.69 in April, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
It's important to note that the tariff is not the only factor driving tomato prices.
Poor weather in Mexico and Florida was also to blame for the surge in prices during the summer months, according to a July report by CoBank. In Florida, winter storms impacted crop production and in Mexico, drought conditions plagued the October-November 2025 planting season in Sinaloa, a key growing region, the report said.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Talarico says Paxton-backed tariffs threaten free chips and salsa
