El Cholo, Los Angeles’ most iconic, honored and beloved Mexican Restaurant – currently gearing up for its 100th Anniversary during 2023 – has unveiled its new Logo and Slogan: “Creating Memories for 100 Years!” El Cholo is actively planning a series of special events and promotions during 2023 for its longtime customers and Southern California guests. The announcements were made by Ron Salisbury, Owner, The El Cholo Family of Restaurants.
From October 24-27, between 4pm to 9pm, El Cholo will be celebrating its 99th Anniversary by offering customers its legendary “Carmen's Original Nachos” for just 99-cents! The special promotion will be available for dine in customers only – along with a dinner purchase.
For 2023: El Cholo stands ready to mark a number of significant milestones in the coming year:
- Longtime Owner Ron Salisbury will Celebrate His 90th Birthday during 2023. Mr. Salisbury has been working with the El Cholo restaurant chain for 68-years! Several of his descendants also currently work within his family’s business, including fourth, fifth and even sixth generation family members!
Says Mr. Salisbury, “Many other restaurants, when they approach 100, start slowing down or taking their eye off the ball. But we still stand firmly at the top of our game. We continue to be aggressive in providing the best Mexican restaurant experience possible – one that only El Cholo can offer. Myself, my kids, my grandkids and even my great-grandkids are proudly committed to continuing the El Cholo tradition – one that my grandparents began way back in 1923 – well into the future!”
- The company will open a brand new El Cholo location in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- El Cholo on Western Avenue will enjoy a significant expansion, which will include construction of a beautiful, new, Open-Air Patio.
- Starting on Jan. 1, 2023, People who are 100 years old or older will be able to eat for free, throughout the 2023 calendar year.
- Also starting on Jan. 1, 2023, El Cholo will be serving a special, $100 Margarita, served in a beautiful, hand-blown, collectible glass, throughout the 2023 calendar year.
- A series of Special Food Items will be offered, including: “A Taste of History” Plate, served on a commemorative place (available for separate purchase.) Also, Several Classic Old Dishes will return as special features, including the Spanish Omelet; Enchiladas with Fried Egg; Tostada Compuesta; Sopa de Fideo, and many others!
One of these classics, Chicken Mole Enchiladas, will retain a permanent space on the main menu. The dish will be accompanied with the year “2023” imprinted next to its name on the El Cholo menu – in keeping with the tradition that many of the classic food items served by the restaurant have long included their years of origin next to their listings on the menu.
- An Official “100th Anniversary Red Carpet Gala” Celebration will take place during October 2023 for the Public and the Media at the El Cholo on Western Ave.
NOTE: El Cholo was recently featured in a major article in the Los Angeles Times, which ran during Hispanic Heritage Month. To view that story: CLICK HERE
About the Birth of El Cholo
In 1922, Ron Salisbury’s Grandfather, Alejandro Borquez, who had recently moved to the sleepy town of Los Angeles with his young bride, Rosa, a culinarily-gifted young woman (and Ron Salisbury’s Grandmother,) pushed back from the dinner table and complimented her: “You are such a good cook, Rosa, we should open a restaurant.” Rosa, who puts care and attention into her love of cooking for everyone, has learned these special recipes during her childhood days living in the Arizona territory.
In 1923, the Borquez Family opened Sonora Café, named for their home state, Sonora, Mexico. The site of the restaurant is in Downtown LA, on Broadway and Santa Barbara Ave. (near the LA Coliseum – which also opened in 1923). The original menu includes very early California plates, including now legendary sweet green corn tamales. (Also in 1923, the Hollywood Sign was erected!)
Today, El Cholo is one of Southern California’s oldest restaurants, as well as one of LA's very first Mexican restaurants. El Cholo has been and remains a family-owned business for 100 years! The six El Cholo restaurants currently operating in Southern California – the original site on Western Ave., Downtown Los Angeles, Anaheim Hills, Corona del Mar, La Habra, and Santa Monica – are all owned by Ron Salisbury (grandson of the founders) and his family, through their company, Restaurant Business, Inc.
The successful legacy of El Cholo lies in its commitment to the highest-quality ingredients, renowned service, truly unique atmosphere, a long, family-owned history, and remarkably loyal employees (many of whom have put in 20-50 years of continuous service!) Says Ron Salisbury, “El Cholo isn’t just a place to eat. It’s part of the culture of Los Angeles and has been for a century now. To me, El Cholo represents a cross-section of what LA is really all about – we have people coming in Rolls Royces and people taking the bus. We have students, wealthy people, people barely getting along, and even some struggling actors. You name it, they come here. To me, that’s always been a big part of our everlasting charm.”
Throughout such landmark eras as the Jazz Age, Prohibition, the Great Depression, World War II, Rock ‘n Roll, Hippies and the Sunset Strip, Vietnam, the LA Riots, Earthquakes, 9/11, and other historic distractions both large and small, El Cholo, in true Hollywood glamour, has steadfastly held firm to its mission, and has continued to flourish, bringing its famous food, drinks, ambience and service to its hundreds of thousands of cherished and devoted patrons, living throughout Southern California and around the world.
Notable Quotes
“El Cholo: Voted the Best Mexican Food Restaurant in Los Angeles.” – The 2022 “Best of the Southland” Issue of the Los Angeles Times
“El Cholo is the definitive Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles – this is the restaurant against which all others are measured. I have spent many a happy evening eating the best nachos, washed down with the best margarita in town and out of town. Trends come and go but this is bedrock cooking, basic food, done very, very well.” – Merrill Shindler, Restaurant Critic
“The best margaritas…best nachos…best guacamole…best green corn tamales, served in a cozy hacienda where the food is always dependable and authentic.” – Zagat Restaurant Guide
“I cannot imagine Los Angeles without EL Cholo.” – Caroline Bates/Gourmet Magazine
“El Cholo is a legend in its own time.” – Southern California Restaurant Writers
“EL Cholo is an institution of which Angelenos are rightfully proud.” – Bon Appetit Magazine
“No one has ever mistaken El Cholo’s margarita for anything but the real thing. The best loved, best-buy Mexican restaurant in the city.” – Los Angeles Magazine
“I was first introduced to El Cholo by Jack Nicholson in 1969. He told me stories about how struggling actors would come to El Cholo and buy a bowl of Frijoles a la Hoja (beans in a pot) for 35-cents, and how the waitresses would bring a side of warm tortillas and salsa at no extra charge. This was how Jack survived for many years. As for me, well I’ve never left the place! We have celebrated every birthday of mine, as well as the birthdays of my various boyfriends and all of my children at El Cholo for half a century, including my famous 40th birthday party. Ron and I have been friends for an eternity, and I have also been close to many members of the staff. I will never find a more fun and delicious hangout, ever!” – Michelle Phillips, The Mamas & The Papas
“When I get to Los Angeles, there is truthfully nothing I enjoy more than a combination plate at El Cholo.” – John Mariani, Author and Food Critic
“To this day, nobody does this sort of food better than the original.” – Los Angeles Times Magazine
“A visit to El Cholo will upgrade your dining experience considerably.” – Orange Coast Magazine
“The best margaritas, the best green tamales, the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. But most of all, it’s such a pleasure to dine at El Cholo because they care and all those who work there care. VIVA EL CHOLO!” – Actress Linda Evans, Star of TV’s Dynasty
“America’s Best Taco!” – The Rachael Ray TV Show, 2010
“Aside from Ron Salisbury and Wolfgang Puck, there have been few others with the ability to run multiple restaurants successfully. Both of those gentlemen are able to do so by drawing upon the breadth and depth of a staff trained over the years to please the customer.” – Los Angeles Magazine
El Cholo’s 100th Anniversary activities for 2023 are currently being planned as a means by which the Salisbury Family, the full El Cholo Employee Team, and the Community-at-Large, can all jointly celebrate this upcoming and truly remarkable achievement:
The Historic 100th Anniversary of El Cholo!
