Remembering Taco Kitchen
The former Taco Kitchen is now Simpsons Floor Covering, 2911 Bonita Ave., La Verne.
Reader Bill Lukens, now residing in Marin County, writes:
"Reading about Henry's reminded me of the great Taco Kitchen located in the middle of an orange grove in an old pump house at the end of Bonita Avenue in La Verne. In those days Bonita did not go through to Claremont, it stopped on the edge of the orange grove just out of the east side of town. You took a small one-lane road into the middle of the grove to find the restaurant.
"On hindsight the food was not just good, it was outstanding. The owners, Elsie and Marshall Moss, presided over every meal. One of them was always there.
"Local people waited the tables and each plate had to pass under the eyes of Elsie or Marshall before it hit your table. The enchiladas were to die for coming piping hot, right from the oven, with the cheese still bubbling. And the tacos and beef tostadas were the best I have tasted even to today.
"The restaurant was always full. Right up to the last time I went there in 1970, it was good to the last plate. I often have thought of starting a Taco Kitchen in Tiburon where I now live and replicating the great recipes accumulated by Elsie and Marshall from their trips to Mexico.
"The funny thing was that it was located in La Verne, whose population was American mainstream. But oh how they loved the Taco Kitchen -- La Verne's little surprise."
What a nice reminiscence. Thanks, Bill. Here's some additional information: Taco Kitchen's address was Fourth Street at Fulton Road (phone number LYcoming 4-2453). The building dates to 1944 and today, heavily remodeled, it's home to Simpsons Floor Covering and an insurance office. No enchiladas or orange groves in sight.
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A journalist for more than two decades, David Allen has been writing a column for the Daily Bulletin since 1997 and blogging since 2007.He lives in Claremont.
E-mail David here or read columns here.
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I worked at the downtown market Alpha Beta in La Verne 1963/1966, the guys would go there for lunch!!
Good people/great food!
He forgot the great melted cheese bread! We used to go to the Taco Kitchen all during the 1960s when I was in high school. . .they had a great gift shop too from which I bought a straw book bag for Chaffey College.
The fried sopaipallas (sp?) with honey were to die for. Even my dad was talking about them the other day.
Trying to find a copy of their Taco Kitchen cookbook. Remember their dessert.
Well Fourth Street and Bonita were the same. Probably dating myself here but it was called Bonita until it reached the town of La Verne and then it became Fourth Street. But, when the freeways were extended and the names of the streets were revised, Fourth Street became Bonita for continuity's sake.
Saw Rick Bayless speak at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco yesterday, and thought again about those great meals, especially the Sunday evenings, at the Taco Kitchen. Rick would have liked Taco Kitchen. It was really a precursor to his cooking, although he may not have ever connected to it. I might ask him though, because his Frontera Grill in Chicago is the best, next thing to the Taco Kitchen --well maybe a little better. But Taco Kitchen is still great in my memory. I prepare meals modeled after its menu even today. Btw, does anybody know where one can get the Taco Kitchen cookbook? Let me know. Thanks.
Bill
I just had a reunion with 12 of my first cousins -- we all grew up in the 50's & 60's in Claremont. Our dear grandmother would take us -- in small groups -- to Taco Kitchen, and we felt so special. Always a treat from the gift shop after our meal. Only one of us ever got burned by the very hot plates. And we all remember best the enchiladas with the chopped green onions on top. As I recall, they also had a really good dinner salad.
We have all grown into "sophisticated" Mexican food aficionados, but our memories of Taco Kicthen remain delicious.
Is there a cookbook for Taco Kicthen -- PLEASE let me know.
Was anyone able to locate the cookbook?
[If they were, they haven't said so. -- DA]
Am also looking for their cookbook. Especially one of their desserts...kind of like a custard or flan!
Really liked their Nectarine sherbet...that was made for them by another favorite, Betsy Ross.
Omg the sopapilla with honey was the best thing ever!!!
I was thinking of Taco Kitchen just the other day and thought I would 'google' it. Wonderful to see comments by others who also felt that it was one of the BEST restaurants around. In my experience, it had the best Mexican food and tacos, especially, that I have EVER tasted.
Did anyone ever find a cookbook for Taco Kitchen?
Diana Phelps
My grandmother used to work in the gift shop and my uncle bussed tables at the Taco Kitchen. My sister and I loved going there. The tacos were the best! Was there an actual cookbook? I've tried for years to find any recipes from the Taco Kitchen. If the family members of Elsie and Marshall Moss have the recipes, I'm sure we'd all buy them!!!!
Thanks for the great blog!
Hello,
My aunt (Marjorie) and uncle (Marshall) owned the Taco Kitchen. Elsie was uncle's first wife. I inherited many books from them. I will check to see if the cookbook is in there any where. I have old stationery and other items from the taco kitchen. Both Auntie and Uncle have passed but they were a huge influence on my life. Thank you all, I so enjoyed reading the comments!
Debbie
[Debbie, how nice to hear from you. Let us know if you find the famous cookbook. -- DA]