HOUSTON — Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a tradition that originated in Mexico but is now celebrated across the U.S. on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.
At Champ Burger on Houston's East End, one neighborhood is breathing beauty into loss.
The popular burger joint has been a staple serving up hamburgers and fries since 1963. Seven years ago, a personal Día de los Muertos ofrenda, or shrine, to Champ's late founder gave rise to a new neighborhood tradition.
"It's inspired by my wife, who is from Mexico," Champ owner Chris Saladino said. "That's my father up at the top, Mike Saladino, THE champ. Little by little it has developed into a neighborhood community altar."
The once small ofrenda for Saladino's family has grown into a large shrine for the entire community to drop off photos to remember their deceased loved ones.
"People come by to take pictures and to make sure the photos of their family members that they've put up are still up," Saladino told us in 2023. "Many of the photos are past customers, customers who have passed away over the years."
Among the lives remembered, Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy Darren Almendarez, who was tragically gunned down in 2022. His wife left his photo at the altar.
"He was a constant customer at Champ Burger, he loved Champ Burger," Saladino said.
Employees who've passed on are honored too.
"This young lady worked at Champ Burger for over 20 years, killed in a car accident," Saladino said.
The bright, colorful displays also feature marigolds because the flowers are believed to attract spirits. Small sugar skulls and mementos that meant something to the dead are also included.
"Every once in a while, someone will put up a can of beer or a glass of tequila, chips, cookies, candy, anything that would make their family member happy in the afterlife," Saladino said.
We also saw a football, a pack of Juicy Fruit gum, a bag of Whales chips and a plastic hamburger on the shrine.
The elaborate decorations on a one-of-a-kind holiday are believed to reunite the living and the dead.
"It's a celebration of life," Saladino explained. "It gives people a chance to remember their family members in a bright light."
Día de los Muertos is a two-night celebration. Saladino said folks are welcome to drop off copies of photos of their loved ones photos. Any photo dropped off becomes a permanent part of the ofrenda next year.
