Local hot sauce company Lola's Hot Sauce started just over two and a half years ago and their growth has been stunning. In that time they've grown far beyond Iowa, added a new restaurant, and now they're expanding globally, and selling new chocolate!
You've probably seen a bottle of Lola's Hot sauce somewhere, and there may be one in your refrigerator right now. My first run-in was at Ceviche Bar in Des Moines' East Village. Whenever I order a Cuban sandwich, I always add Lola's Hot Sauce. There is a bottle at every table. You'd think the brand is 20 years old, but it's very new!
Taufeek Shah, one of the owners of Lola's Hot Sauce told us the company is now just over 2 years old and in that time they've added 6 hot sauces, including smoking and grilling sauces, expanded globally, started their first restaurant in Ankeny, and now they're adding chocolate.
Lola's Hot Sauce Goes Global
Lola's just launched in several new grocers all over the country including King Kullen and Fairway Market on the east coast, Piggly Wiggly in Florida, Central Grocers like Pete's Fresh and they are adding several grocers on the west coast as well. They have a division in Toronto, Canada and in about one week, they will be launching in Melbourne Australia.
Lola's Hot Sauce Adds Chocolate?
Shah told us at an industry food show he met a person who was creating fine chocolate. His name was Noah and his company was Noah's fine chocolate, so he handed him a bottle of hot sauce and asked if he could make a chocolate from their hot sauce.
Surprisingly, only two weeks later, Noah stopped by their West Des Moines office one day, with a full sample spread and even packaging ideas! The chocolate uses Lola's Hot Sauce and it's made in Fairfield, Iowa.
The chocolate is all natural and will launch in Fareway stores and Hy-Vee in the next two weeks and it's even vegan-friendly!
The Name
And where does the name come from? Who is Lola? It turns out, Lola is Shah's mom and the hot sauce recipe is hers! She is also a former physician that practiced in Iowa!
Taufeek says they haven't changed the recipe at all. But Lola isn't only responsible for just the hot sauce, Lola is also the mastermind behind all the food at their restaurant as well.
When Shah worked at Principal Financial he brought the hot sauce in for friends, and it became a hit. Friends wanted to buy it and it grew from there!
Lola's Fine Kitchen
Lola's Fine Kitchen opened in June and Taufeek told us Lola's Fine Kitchen is a crazy fusion of Phillipino and Pakistan food and they have some amazing dishes.