Avila’s El Ranchito celebrates its 50th anniversary with 13 family-owned restaurants serving Mama Avila’s authentic Mexican recipes made from scratch daily. The first Avila’s El Ranchito opened in Huntington Park in 1966 with only five tables. Today, a member of the Avila family oversees each restaurant and they’ve planned summer celebrations to thank their guests at each location.
Mama’s recipes are always made to her standards, including several signature specialties. Mama Avila’s Soup, a longtime favorite, is made with fresh made chicken broth, hand-pulled chunks of chicken breast and rice. Garnished with generous portions of avocado, tomato, cilantro and lime and served with warm tortillas. The carnitas are also a favorite menu item for decades, thanks to the Avila family’s signature method of slow cooking chunks of lean pork marinated in garlic and citrus.
Other signature items include the most popular combination plate of a Crispy Taco with a Cheese Enchilada to the Camarones Al Mojo de Ajo that features jumbo shrimp sautéed in butter, garlic and a little secret ingredient no one in the family will reveal.
The series of summer events at Avila’s El Ranchito locations include:
On Thursday, June 30 at Foothill Ranch.
Son Sal, his daughter Monica and son Jeremy opened the location earlier this year, ensuring the family legacy will continue with a third generation of Avilas. 26771 Portola Parkway at Foothill Ranch.
On, Thursday, July 7 in Lake Forest
Son Sal opened this south Orange County location in 1998, and it reflects his eclectic surfing travels. 24406 Muirlands Blvd. in Lake Forest.
On Thursday, July 14 in Huntington Beach
Son Sergio continued to embrace the Avila family’s love of surfing by opening this themed restaurant in 1999. Growing up, the Avila boys surfed in Huntington Beach after school, and this downtown Surf City restaurant is not far from their favorite surfing spots. 318 Main St. in Huntington Beach.
On Thursday, July 21 in Corona Del Mar
Sergio and his daughter Maribel established this location in 1996 in the heart of Corona Del Mar. 2515 East Coast Highway in Corona del Mar.
On Thursday, Aug. 4 in Santa Ana
Son Victor established this location in 1983, which is known as a hot lunch spot among downtown residents and also cherished for its several cozy fireplaces. 2201 E. First Street in Santa Ana.
On Thursday, Aug. 11 in Newport Beach
Son Sergio introduced Orange County to Avila’s El Ranchito when he established this flagship restaurant on the Balboa Peninsula in 1975. 2800 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach.
On Thursday, Aug. 18 in Seal Beach
Elyse, third-generation Avila family member, owns this location and can often be found on the floor talking with Seal Beach's guests. She opened it in 2015. 209 Main St. in Seal Beach.
On Thursday, Aug. 25 in Orange
A restaurant with the storied history of Avila’s El Ranchito deserves a location among one of Orange County’s most historic neighborhoods. Grandson Marcus opened this one in Old Towne Orange in 2011. 182 South Orange Street in Old Towne Orange.
On Thursday, Sept. 1 in San Clemente
The summer of fiestas wraps up here, where son Victor opened this location in 2003. 204 Avenida Del Mar in San Clemente.
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