Local Spice Bomb Business Gets Grocery Store Deal After TikTok Fame

Antonette Kristina Camacho, founder of Brighton-based Bombitas, has been busy since her birria bombs went viral on TikTok shortly after launching in 2024. Through farmers’ markets and various local events that provided tasting opportunities, the brand has established a loyal customer base and an ever-growing number of social media followers.   

Most notably, Bombitas just landed its first big contract through a Texas food distributor, which has placed its spice bombs in 120 to 150 stores in five states outside of Colorado. “That was my ultimate goal, to get into grocery stores,” she affirms. The road to this achievement, however, had several checkpoints that she didn’t initially anticipate. 

Readying for national expansion involved FDA approval, nutritional panels, new packaging and, most importantly, finding a factory to manufacture Bombitas — Camacho’s commissary kitchen would no longer cut it. Fortunately, Silver State Foods, which is based in Denver and produces hot sauces and canned green chile, was interested in a partnership.

Supporting other local businesses is important to Camacho, who successfully registered Bombitas with Colorado Proud, a program established by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. You’ve likely seen its state flag-inspired logo, which indicates that a food product is grown, raised or processed in Colorado.  

Bombitas doubles up on qualifying — it’s not only manufactured in Denver, but it also sources its chiles from a Brighton distributor. Guajillo, ancho, arbol and California chiles are among the fourteen spices used in its flagship birria bomb, which is available in mild and spicy varieties.

More recently, the brand debuted a pozole spice bomb, simplifying yet another delicious yet demanding Mexican dish. Camacho explains the process of making traditional pozole on the stovetop: “First, you have to cook the pork for a very long time because you want it fork-tender. You can’t step away because you have to keep constantly stirring it and scraping off the fat that comes to the top of the soup.” 

Meanwhile, “You have to roast your chilies on the comal, like a pan. Then you have to boil them, strain them, and then you make your own blended concoction with tomatillos, onion, garlic, roasted tomatoes, jalapeño. There’s salt in pozole and the flavor of cumin. It’s a lot of ingredients,” Camacho affirms — not to mention time and labor-intensive. 

With Bombitas, your crockpot does the work for you. She explains, “Just throw in pork loin or pork shoulder, pour in six cups of water and drop one bomb. That’s literally it. Close the lid; come back to it in six to eight hours.” White hominy and your choice of toppings, like shredded cabbage and diced onion, complete the weeknight-friendly meal. 

“Pozole is a family favorite now,” says Camacho, recalling her niece’s special request that she contribute it and birria tacos to her family’s Christmas potluck. Along with bringing her loved ones together, Camacho says that Bombitas has given her two children a lot of pride. Their mom’s business is a point of discussion in their kindergarten classrooms, and events like the annual Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival, have become a family affair.

Currently, Camacho’s primary goal for Bombitas is to have its products stocked at large local grocers, such as Safeway and King Soopers — and with the support of its manufacturing partner, mega-store partnerships are possible. 

“When I was first pitching last year, I didn’t really understand why certain places were not interested in moving forward until I got that contract in Texas. Now, I’m prepared. I know what is needed. My factory knows timelines and how to keep up with volume,” she notes. 

Camacho concludes, “Although I am so proud and grateful for that contract in Texas, Colorado is my home, and I really would love to make it more convenient for my customers.” 

In the meantime, those craving effortless birria and pozole can purchase Bombitas online and at select area retailers, including the Local locations at 19565 Mainstreet in Parker and 6150 South Main Street in Aurora.