For many, dogs are not merely pets but furry members of the family. As such, they are brought along on car rides, to local parks and beaches and on walks all throughout Orange County. But, sometimes, when the weather’s nice,…
BIZ Beat: Avila’s El Ranchito keeps it in the family
When Margarita and Salvador Avila look over their restaurant, Avila’s El Ranchito, they see 50 years of work that turned into three generations of family members now running 13 locations. “It’s fun to see it through their eyes,” Marcus Avila, owner…
San Clemente’s El Ranchito restaurant will cap the Avilas family’s celebration.
As a teenager in Huntington Park in 1966, Victor Avila would stop into his parents’ newly opened restaurant after school to help with whatever needed to be done. It was just Salvador and Margarita running it, but the entire family…
Avila’s CdM restaurant celebrates 50 years of El Ranchito
The Corona del Mar location of Avila’s El Ranchito celebrated the Mexican restaurant group’s 50th anniversary with a Summer Fiesta on July 21. The event featured drinks, mariachi music, souvenirs, raffles and, of course, food. The first Avila’s opened in 1966…
At 50, Avila’s El Ranchito is still all about family
When patrons of Avila’s El Ranchito sit down to eat, they’re handed a menu bearing a picture of Margarita “Mamá” Avila. The matriarch of the Mexican food restaurant group is standing by stacks of plates. Her face beams. The photograph suggests…
Avila’s Guava Margarita at Avila’s El Ranchito, Our Drink of the Week!
Now that Cinco de Drinko is over, let’s celebrate a real raza victory: 2016 is the 50th anniversary of Avila’s El Ranchito, OC’s own Mexican-restaurant chain. It might’ve started in Huntington Park, but the other 10 locations are in la naranja, and the…
Avila’s to take over Seal Beach diner later this summer
Avila’s El Ranchito operates a restaurant in nearly every major coastal town in Orange County. Its coastal expansion continues with the opening of its 12th restaurant in the downtown Seal Beach. Elyse Avila Smith, the 28-year-old granddaughter of the founders,…
Off the Menu: Newport Beach Dining Icons Celebrate Milestones
Longevity in the restaurant business is rare, but this week we profile two restaurants on the Newport Peninsula that are celebrating milestone anniversaries (and are on the same block): Avila’s El Ranchito and Newport Beach Brewing Co. El Ranchito “About…
OC Metro: Avila’s El Ranchito dishes out strong family traditions
The restaurant business runs in Maribel Avila’s blood. Her first unofficial job at her family’s restaurant, Avila’s El Ranchito, came at age 4, when she handed menus to customers. In high school, she became a hostess. Now the 27-year-old manages…
Best of Orange County – Avila’s El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant
Highlights: The house margarita features a family recipe that has existed for more than 40 years. The pomegranate margarita is made with 100 percent pomegranate juice. Cadillac margaritas can be made with your choice of tequila. Claim to fame: Consistency with…