$UPZS The Zakany family has always had a rich history as entrepreneurs. Mike's paternal grandparents opened a butcher shop and grocery store in Zanesville in 1942. Mike's father, uncle and entire family worked very hard to continue to grow the family business over the years. Zak's Restaurant was a natural extension of the Zakany's involvement and love for the food business. The restaurant quickly developed a strong clientele. Clearly, people liked the "New Mexico" style food, the phenomenal increase in the "to go" food sales and the additional increase in dining room business confirmed their niche in the "New Mexico" style of food on the menu. The demand for salsa was a key part of the complete menu; salsa enhanced the flavors of all the dishes served. It then became time to develop the salsa to meet the demand. Mike started an extensive marketing study that examined all kinds of spices and chili peppers. He read with great interest about the migration patterns of the European Spaniards to Mexico and the influence America's native people had on the newcomer's cuisine.