EATERY IS DREAM OF IMMIGRANT FAMILY MI CASA IS SU CASA WHEN YOU ENJOY THE SPECIALS.Byline: Eugene Tong Staff Writer NEWHALL - On the corner of a strip mall strip mall n. A shopping complex containing a row of various stores, businesses, and restaurants that usually open onto a common parking lot. Noun 1. on San Fernando Road San Fernando Road is a major street in the city and county of Los Angeles. It starts off in Castaic as The Old Road, passing through Santa Clarita and the Newhall Pass, where upon its intersection with Sierra Highway near the junction of the Golden State (I-5) and the is a restaurant where hungry working men refuel re·fu·el v. re·fu·eled also re·fu·elled, re·fu·el·ing also re·fu·el·ling, re·fu·els also re·fu·els v.tr. To supply again with fuel. v.intr. throughout the day, telenovelas
n. A flour tortilla folded in half around a savory filling, as of cheese or beans, then fried or toasted. [American Spanish, from Spanish, diminutive of quesada, at a time. Mi Casa - ``My Home'' - Mexican Restaurant, which was opened here in Old Town Newhall about seven months ago by Victor Lara and his brother-in-law Rodolfo Canchola, is an $80,000 gamble for the family, whose members began immigrating to the area in 1985 from Guadalajara,Mexico. But like all plucky pluck·y adj. pluck·i·er, pluck·i·est Having or showing courage and spirit in trying circumstances. See Synonyms at brave. pluck entrepreneurs who have ventured into business in a part of town that's struggling to define its future after years of neglect, they believe in their recipe for success. They believe the surrounding residents from Santa Clarita's Latino enclave willflock to their restaurant solely on the strength of their food. ``It's so great,'' said Anna Lara, who's in business with her husband, Rodolfo, and brother Victor. ``For me, it's like my home. The food is what we eat at home. We know the food we are selling.'' The menu, all from family recipes, includes the usual favorites found in any decent taqueria ta·que·ri·a n. A place where tacos, burritos, and other Mexican dishes are made and sold. [American Spanish taquería, from taco, taco; see taco.] - taco al pastor Al pastor, literally meaning "Shepherd Style", is a dish developed in Mexico City likely as a result of the adoption of spit-grilled meat brought by Lebanese immigrants[1]. The dish is similar to the Turkish döner kebab, Shawarma, or Greek gyros. , quesadilla with a choice of fillings including hearty bacon, and tortas - meaty grilled sandwiches - with generous servings of fresh avocado avocado (ä`vəkä`do, ăv`–), tropical American broad-leaved evergreen tree of the genus Persea of the family Lauraceae (laurel family). . They share space with birria - a goat stew that's a mainstay in Guadalajara cuisine - and on Anna's recommendation, carne en su jugo - tender chunks of beef, bacon, beans and garnishes served in a bowl of rich broth flavored with the meat's own juices. Another off-the-beaten-track dish, roast chicken on sweet, subtly nutty red mole, appeared as a daily special. Their rice - slow-cooked to a fluffy finish - rises above the usual bits of hard, loose grain found in your typical burrito chain. Taking a late lunch break after a day installing signs, Rene Reyes, 25, of Newhall, devoured the ham quesadilla before him with little hesitation. ``I love quesadillas,'' said Reyes, who came to the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. from Puebla, Mexico, about five years ago and dines at Mi Casa several times a week. ``They take a little time to bring it to you, but it's worth it.'' Owning a restaurant has been a dream for Victor, a trained cook, who has been pitching the idea to his family for years, Anna said. Still, trying to start a new life in a new land leaves little time for dreams. Anna studied to become a nursing assistant, while her husband worked and is now a supervisor at a local electronics plant. With some measure of financial security, the family last year decided to plunge into the business, taking out savings to buy equipment and restaurant furnishings. They were looking ahead, Anna said. ``You want to give something to the kids,'' she said, referring to her 12-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter. ``This is for the children.'' It's hard work running a restaurant, Anna said. Every able-bodied relative was recruited, taking shifts to help keep costs down, while still retaining their day jobs. ``I want to be here to serve, to see if they like the food,'' Anna said. ``Sometimes if they don't like something, we would change it.'' Restaurants are risky business, especially with the concentration of Mexican eateries along the three blocks of San Fernando Road in Old Newhall. But Anna has seen worse in her native Guadalajara, where anyone can openly serve food from the porch - minus the strict regulations she faces in her adoptive a·dop·tive adj. 1. a. Of or having to do with adoption. b. Characteristic of adoption. 2. Related by adoption: country. ``Every corner in Guadalajara is food and food and food,'' she said. ``It's a lot more competition. ... We know this is going to be hard work. But if we work very hard this year, it'll be easier next year.'' Eugene Tong, (661) 257-5253 eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- 3) Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant, top, is holding its grand opening complete with handmade tortillas and special homemade dishes, above, and the friendly face of manager Jorge Lara, who's always on hand to greet customers, right. David Crane/Staff Photographer |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion