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To adapt to change is sometimes a chore, but we prefer to do things as we did them before. Change comes with time and that becomes history, so I invite you to take a trip with me. A trip back in time when our restaurant began. Try to envision that time if you can...

It started with an idea and a dream in their heart, to have their own business and make a new start. The year was 1936. The Business was a saloon, and our grandparents worked hard to rise from the depression gloom.

The Diaz family of six lived in a 20 X 20 room, with only a wall dividing them from the loud and thriving "Las Quince Letras Saloon". Music would blare until 2:00 a.m. and if you wanted to see a fight, just make it there on any weekend!

In 1936, the capacity was 23, a slight difference to our now 150!

The wine came in barrels from the city of Ojai. The ice box was stocked when the iceman came by. Soda sold for a nickel, beer was just a dime. Unfortunately, that changed with the passage of time.

Circu 1940

Familia Diaz - 50's Style

Most grandmothers cook well and ours was no exception, so in this tiny bar was the restaurant's inception.

She remained in the background, helping "Don" Jose making meals for his patrons in her own special way. Her equipment was simple. She ran an efficient kitchen using only molcajetes and a frying pan! Of course, there were no refrigerators, microwaves, or deep fat fryers, no electric cheese graters, or blenders and not many electrical wires, no ice machines, no air conditioning, no refrigerated salad bars, no personal checks. Only cash and definitely no credit cards! No freeways, no stoplights, no ice cubes to put in your drink, no dishwashers to wash the dishes...she did this herself in the sink.

By midnight, grandma would fall asleep in the kitchen, waiting for an order that would come from the bar. Fortunately, and not before long, her culinary success had spread near and far. She made Chile Verde, Chile Colorado, and all meat combinations. These would sell for a quarter and were her special creations.

Dining out was not very common since it wasn't the American way. Perhaps that's why our sales were just $6. to $7. a day!

Familia Diaz
Established 1936