EL CHAVO - Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN

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.


But after 29 years of steady business in their cash-only establishment (yes, there's an ATM in there too), Ricardo sold the property and the business and will retire this month. The new owner, who has been coming to El Chavo since childhood and is a local LA business person, who promises to keep the waiting and cooking staff and will the leave the restaurant as is. Most quasi-regular customers probably won't notice a difference once Ricardo and Caesar actually leave... but us regulars will. Ricardo and Caesar are there most nights and not only personally know the regulars, but greet them by name and seat them - as all good hosts will do. One older couple drive up every Saturday night from the westside as they have for the last 20-odd years - to dine at El Chavo. They're sure to notice the subtle difference of not having Ricardo and Caesar there. I'll miss Caesar's seasonal decorations - like the upsidedown micro-fiber Christmas trees he hung from the ceiling one year.

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!