
In June of 1967 Ricardo opened a Mexican restaurant on Sunset Blvd on the east side of town - El Chavo (for lack of a better translation that's Spanish for "The Dude"). He and his best friend and former coworker - Caesar - have been managing it ever since. It is a local Silver Lake favorite - known for the day-glow sombreros lining the ceiling of the bar along with various other Mexican paraphernalia like clay statues of Mexican dancers, the 'eyes of God' yarn-spun ornaments, and colorful paper flowers adorning the entrance wall. It also has a few unusual items of decor - a larger than life framed poster of Dolly Parton (El Chavo is rumored to be her favorite LA restaurant), a micro-fiber lamp that spins and changes color and array of object de art hanging on the walls and lining the shelves behind the bar. The restaurant is super dark inside... and I often wonder if you saw in the daylight what it would really look like, also minus the buzz from the strong pre-mixed margaritas they serve (my friend CK says those concoctions help to "shut out the noise" of your day, your week, the world outside, or simply the noise in your head.). El Chavo located across from the Vista theater and next door the the LA PBS station KCET- it's a good place to catch a meal before or after your movie, and you might even possibly see Tavis Smiley driving by. There is live music, too. A harpist during the week that looks like Fred Mertz (to hear the Mexican hat dance on harp is... unusual) and another guy who plays piano and guitar and can sing anything from "Besa Me Mucho" to Eric Clapton's greatest hits.

Well, all things must change, and who knows? Maybe the changes at El Chavo won't be all that subtle... and maybe it'll even be better - improved even. In any case, it'll be different, and we'll miss Ricardo and Caesar. Adios, amigos. Via con dios. Viva El Chavo!
3 comments:
whoa... a kitschy mexican place where i haven't been drunk? sf, you're a goddess.
so kitchy, so Mexican, and after 2.5 margaritas... I guarantee drunkness.
Sounds like my kind of place.
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