Salty Cowboy Tequileria has been around for nearly a decade, but Justin and Kristen Alderson purchased it from local restaurateur Shari Jenkins in 2023.
The couple didn’t have food and beverage backgrounds, but they continued to serve up the popular burritos, tacos and quesadillas, slowly adding some enhancements and new offerings of their own.
“We didn’t try to change a lot, but for example, we only had one dish with the fajita steak, one of our most popular proteins, so we created the Billy the Kid nachos and Stagecoach burrito to include that,” Justin Alderson said. “We added some higher-end bourbon and tequila to the menu.”
For the Aldersons, it’s all about the experience. Their outdoor seating and close proximity to the Zionsville brick street brings all the feelings of the perfect hangout location.
“I tell my staff every day, ‘Everyone has food and drinks at their house,” Alderson said. “We didn’t invent the quesadilla. They come because we, as people, crave social interaction, and we want a place we can bring the little ones in the high chair or visit with friends from Hoosier Village. I enjoy figuring out what people are looking for and to try to exceed that expectation.”
Everything is made from scratch each day, and the menu, though it includes Tex-Mex dishes, also includes burgers, pulled pork, smoked chicken, wings and more.
“Our goal is for everyone to find something they’ll enjoy,” Alderson said. “We’ve upgraded the bar with more than 50 different tequilas. We do tasters, pitchers and flights, and all of our drinks are hand-shaken.”
This month Salty Cowboy will debut weekend lunch hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 11 a.m. The menu will be similar, but a few new options such as build-your-own burrito will be added.
“We’re kicking it off for Cinco de Mayo weekend and hopefully things go well over the summer,” Alderson said. “I think we could use another option for lunch, and we can have up to 80 people on our large, outdoor, pet-friendly patio, so we’re excited to be able to do that.”
In addition, they’ve added catering to the menu.
In the last few months they’ve offered Nacho and Taco Party Kits for football parties, and anticipate other large catering opportunities from graduation parties to Fourth of July weekends.
“It’s munchy food that works perfectly for things like watch parties,” Alderson said. “You order on the website and we’ll deliver it and get you all set up.”
The family-owned location attracts both locals and visitors. It’s a unique spot, and Alderson said many are traveling from out of town to check it out. Being a long foul ball away from Lions Park doesn’t hurt either, as many extended families choose to stop by Salty Cowboy before and after games.
“I’ve never had someone say they regretted it,” Alderson said. “When you combine our shareable food with the best tequila lineup in Boone County, along with a heap of Hoosier hospitality in a casual, relaxed Main Street atmosphere, you have a recipe for success.”
