No matter what the occasion, delicious food should be part of a celebration. And nothing says “fiesta” like delicious, authentic Mexican food! If you are lucky enough to live in California, Oregon or Washington, there is a fantastic option for your next special occasion: El Tapatio restaurants. Whether dining in, carrying-out or ordering catering, El Tapatio has options to fit any occasion and any budget.
They treat you like family, because they are family-friendly. El Tapatio has a wonderful, heart-warming history. The founder and owner Efren Guitron grew up in Cuautla, in Mexico; a town so small, it is usually not even featured on maps of the region. It is located in the heart of the state of Jalisco, in between Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. From this simple, rural upbringing, Guitron learned the values of family and hard work. He moved to the United States in 1970, with a dream of creating a better life. He naturally sought out his relatives to help him get established. These relatives owned a Mexican restaurant in Seattle, Washington, and Guitron worked for them for ten years, learning all about the restaurant business and learning family recipes. In the fall of 1980, Guitron opened his very first restaurant and named it El Tapatio. He wanted to be absolutely certain to provide his customers with a high standard of food and a great atmosphere, so he chose to run the restaurant by himself. Literally, all by himself. He was the host, chef, server, and dishwasher all at the same time. He used authentic Mexican recipes, many of which were from his very own family and had been passed down through the generations. He made an effort to speak to his customers and make them feel welcome. His hard work paid off. After five years, El Tapatio was so popular, Guitron had lines of customers waiting outside his restaurant hoping for a table. He began expanding, first by including his own wife, then hiring more staff and opening new branches. Today, he is the proud owner of a small chain of over 20 restaurants in California, Oregon and Washington. Although the business has changed incredibly over the years, and still continues to grow, Guitron still works hard to ensure that every dish at every restaurant meets his high standards. The business is still family-owned and operated and Guitron promises that one of the most important things for him, is to make his diners feel well-fed, comfortable, and welcome; like they’re eating at their grandma’s house.
El Tapatio: authentic Mexican food
Good food coming from good hearts
In addition to using family recipes, El Tapatio strives to make everything about their menu meet a high standard of quality and flavor. Guitron insists on using only the best ingredients and ensures that every dish at every restaurant is made fresh. A few years ago, the team at El Tapatio began an initiative to make their menu even better by looking at ways to make their food healthier. Their efforts led them to eliminating all of the lard from every item on their menu, even the refried beans, which are usually notorious for containing large amounts of lard. They now use only healthier, lighter oils, such as vegetable oils and canola oil for everything. They are more careful and particular about how they prepare their meat, to make it as healthy as possible without sacrificing any flavor. They also made the switch from processed, iodized salt, to a more natural sea salt for all of their kitchens, as well as all of the salt shakers on their tables. These changes mean that El Tapatio now serves food that is as good for your body as it is for your taste buds.
Dine in for the party atmosphere
Each El Tapatio branch is warmly and colorfully decorated. Since Guitron wants everyone to feel completely welcome when they come to El Tapatio, each branch has gone above and beyond to create a fun, relaxed atmosphere. The dining rooms are suitable for parties with guests of all ages. So whether you are hoping to celebrate your grandmother’s birthday, your baby’s first steps, or your own promotion at work, you will feel welcome and relaxed at El Tapatio. The giant menu selection ensures everyone will be able to find something delightful to eat. If you are in the mood to toast your celebration, El Tapatio also has a selection of beers, over 50 varieties of tequila, and cocktails. They boast that they make the “best house margaritas in town” and there is only 1 way to find out if they are right: head to the nearest El Tapatio restaurant and try one for yourself.
El Tapatio: authentic Mexican food
Relax, let them bring the party to you
If you have a special venue in mind for your special occasion, El Tapatio also offers catering services to bring delicious, authentic Mexican food to you, wherever you are. So whether you want to book a ballroom, conference room, or welcome your guests in your own backyard, they will be able to work with you and your budget to bring an amazing meal to the site. Their catering service includes several options for appetizers, side dishes and desserts. For main dishes, you can choose from the taco bar, the burrito boxes or the buffet service. The orders can be custom made for the size of your guest list and your budget. You can choose to pick up your catering order, or have the staff at El Tapatio deliver it to you. When you place your order, tell them how many diners you are expecting and they will include disposable plates, napkins and cutlery for everyone. Having them cater your event means once your order has been placed, you can relax with your guests and enjoy your event knowing the refreshments will be delicious and professionally prepared and served.
Great quality for a great price
No matter the occasion, choosing El Tapatio means you’ll have delicious food, quality service, and a friendly atmosphere. Let them help make your next event tasty and memorable! For more information or to find the nearest El Tapatio restaurant, visit their website, www.eltapatiocuisine.com.