In the early 2000s, Rafael developed a passion for hot sauces and started growing a wide variety of fiery peppers in his Chicagoland home garden. His homemade sauces packed serious heat — sometimes too much. Family and friends loved the flavor but couldn't handle the spice.

That changed at a 2021 family gathering, where Rafael's hot sauce sparked lively debate and a new direction. Working with his sons, he set out to refine his recipes — crafting sauces bold enough to stand out but balanced enough to pair with cuisines from around the world. By 2022, they had nailed it with a habanero hot sauce that delivers both heat and flavor.

Welcome to Loco Lolo® Hot Sauce. Rafael and his family are proud to offer a lineup of sauces with varying heat levels and flavor profiles, with more on the way as they continue experimenting with new peppers and combinations. The name was coined by one of Rafael's grandsons — "Loco," meaning "crazy" in Spanish, and "Lolo," meaning "grandpa" in Tagalog — perfectly capturing the spirit of a grandfather bold enough to chase the perfect sauce. They invite you to join them on the journey: great heat, great taste, and a little something that keeps you coming back for more.