The Legacy of Avila's El Ranchito Restaurants - Three Generations Strong
By Tony Reverditto
Once upon a time in 1966, Salvador and Margarita Avila began a courageous journey with a modest $2,000 investment and a collection of Mama Avila’s recipes. Little did they know that the first Huntington Park location would spawn multiple locations over the decades and become one of Southern California’s most beloved Mexican Restaurant chains. Today, they have 13 locations run by three generations of family, Avila’s El Ranchito will soon celebrate its 55th anniversary. The longevity of their family restaurants is attributed to a pledge to serve fresh food always made from scratch and a decision to exclusively have Avila family members oversee each location. The recipes still being used today are the same ones that Mama Avila originally used in her kitchen to feed her family.
My history with the Santa Ana Avila location began back in 1987 when I opened a live theatre called Way Off-Broadway. Our production team and the actors frequented this spot which was a mile or so away. All of us marveled at the fresh tortillas made in the Cantina area right before our very eyes, whether it was happy hour, lunch, or dinner service. Even our theatre patrons would drop in for dinner and drinks before heading to our latest production. Ironically, it would be decades later that I would cross paths with Patty Mitchell through another theatrical venue that we both worked for and would soon find out that she was also doing extraordinary PR for the Avila El Ranchito franchise. Patty Mitchell is truly one of the finest restaurant social media influencers in the Orange County culinary scene.
Recently, I approached Patty and said that I wanted to pay homage and give coverage to this wonderfully unique culinary institution as they navigated back into the new normal of in-house dining. I knew in my heart that it had to be the Santa Ana location. Another coincidence is that I met the truly incredible General Manager, Karen Edwards all those years ago. We have remained friends and because of her positive energy and amazing leadership. Last year, I booked my 60th birthday party there and my mother’s Celebration of Life send-off. I am never disappointed with how my events are orchestrated and my guests have always been provided with a delicious and memorable experience.
We recently met up with Patty in Santa Ana to enjoy some of the wonderful cocktails and entrées. The restaurant and patio are now open and set up for social distancing dining with all employees wearing masks. We were immediately greeted by veteran server, Kathy Zamora who has been a top-notch, loyal employee for 30 years. Our other guest, John enjoyed a Los Olas Chardonnay, while we had our sights set on their Specialty Margaritas. I savored the Patrón Chambord Margarita, the famous Skinny Margarita made with Patrón Silver topped with a splash of Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur and Patty had the Corralejo Pink Cadillac Margarita, Corralejo Silver Tequila, fresh lime juice, Agave Nectar, and a splash of cranberry juice. Shaken with fresh lemons, limes, and oranges prepared Cadillac style. We both agreed that they had the perfect flavor combinations and were so thirst-quenching on a hot afternoon that we indulged in libations.
The menu is so colorful and the options of authentic Mama Avila’s recipes are a wonder to behold. It was difficult to narrow down which items to sample, of course, they had extensive options of the traditional fair of Mexican cuisine, but when it came down to it, we selected an array of flavorful dishes. First was the Grilled Chicken Salad, spicy grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and avocado. Absolutely delicious! The Jalisco, choice of one of the following: A soft or crispy shredded beef, ground beef or chicken taco, cheese enchilada, or chicken tamale. Karen said that the combination that I ordered was the most popular on the menu which was the Crisp Beef Taco and Enchilada. I understand why, it was absolutely delicious as usual.
Another of my all-time favorites is Camarones Diablo, succulent shrimp sautéed in a spicy roasted red chile, a side of guacamole, beans, and rice. It was truly one of the best that I have had and the shrimp were huge, fluffy, and tender, and the sauce divine. John went for the Mahi Mahi Soft Tacos, fresh grilled Mahi Mahi, lettuce, tomato, and cheese in soft corn tortillas with guacamole, beans, and rice and he loved every bite.
Party Trays to go are a fan favorite for any event or special occasion. This restaurant offers several Banquet rooms for your special event and is in the process of restructuring the layout to follow CDC guidelines. Full-service Catering is also offered. And finally, remember that Santa Ana is one of only 4 locations to feature handmade tortillas from the Cantina’s Taco Bar!
RESERVATIONS (714) 547-9129
LOCATIONS & OWNERS
• HUNTINGTON PARK - Est 1966 (original location)
Founders, Margarita and Salvador Avila. Owner/Operating partner, Margarita Avila (daughter of Margarita & Salvador) 6703 Santa Fe Ave, Huntington Park
323.585.5055 or www.avilaselranchito.com/huntington_park
• NEWPORT BEACH - Est 1975
Sergio Avila, Owner (son of Margarita & Salvador) Sergio's daughter, Maribel Avila Ley, partner.
2800 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach
949.675.6855 or www.avilaselranchito.com/newport-beach
• COSTA MESA - Est 1977
Maria Elena Avila, Owner (daughter of Margarita & Salvador).
2101 Placentia Ave, Costa Mesa
949.642.1142 or www.avilaselranchito.com/costa-mesa
• SANTA ANA - Est 1983
Victor Avila, Owner (son of Margarita & Salvador) Karen Edwards GM for 37 years.
2201 E. First St., Santa Ana
714.547.9129 or www.avilaselranchito.com/santa-ana
• CORONA DEL MAR – Est 1996
Sergio Avila, Owner (son of Margarita & Salvador) Sergio's daughter, Maribel Avila Ley is the GM 2515 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar
949.644.8226 or www.avilaselranchito.com/corona-del-mar
• LAKE FOREST - Est 1998
Sal Avila, Owner (son of Margarita & Salvador) Sal's daughter, Monica Avila is the GM.
24406 Muirlands Blvd., Lake Forest
949.855.4989 or www.avilaselranchito.com/lake_forest
• HUNTINGTON BEACH - Est 1999
Sergio Avila, Owner (son of Margarita & Salvador) Sergio's daughter, Valerie Avila is GM.
318 Main St., Huntington Beach
714.960.9696 or www.avilaselranchito.com/huntington-beach
• SAN CLEMENTE - Est 2003
Victor Avila, Owner (son of Margarita & Salvador)
204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente
949.498.5000 or avilaselranchito.com/san-clemente
• LAGUNA NIGUEL - Est 2006
Marcus Avila, 3rd Generation Owner (son of Victor Avila)
27941 La Paz Rd. Suite E, Laguna Niguel
949.349.9100 or www.avilaselranchito.com/laguna-niguel
• LAGUNA BEACH - Est 2007
Michael Avila, Owner (son of Victor Avila)
1305 S. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach
949.376.7040 or www.avilaselranchito.com/laguna-beach
• ORANGE - Est 2011
Marcus Avila, 3rd Generation Owner (son of Victor Avila) 182 South Orange Street, Orange
714.516.1000 or www.avilaselranchito.com/orange
• SEAL BEACH - Est 2015
Elyse Avila Smith, 3rd Generation Owner (daughter of Victor Avila) 209 Main St. Seal Beach
562.493.TACO (8226) or www.avilaselranchito.com/seal-beach
• FOOTHILL RANCH - Est 2016 Sal Avila Owner (son of Margarita & Salvador) Sal's daughter, Nathalie Avila Ruttkay is the GM.
26771 Portola Pkwy, Foothill Ranch
949.452-1721 or www.avilaselranchito.com/foothill-ranch
