MARIO VALENZUELA

Valenzuela, Mario and his legacy

The Founder of Mario's Mexican Restaurant in Huntington Beach, CA. I am sad to say, our father passed away Monday morning, April 6th, peacefully surrounded by his family and loved ones. He established his first restaurant in 1969 with wife, Consuelo, son, John, and daughters, Maria, Diana and Roselinda. My father soon added six other businesses in Orange County. Over the years, only two remain - The 5-Points Plaza at Main St., and Springdale store. As a young man, he emigrated from Mexico to Orange County, working in factories and the food industry. He worked for a coffee shop in the morning and a bowling alley in the evening. He told me one day, "I like working in restaurants because I do not have to pay my meals," as he smiled. That was my dad ... he had a raw sense of humor. In the mid 1960's, he earned the position of head cook for La Paz Mexican Restaurant in Fullerton. By this time, Mexican food was becoming popular, and so was his style of cooking. When Mr. Ruben was looking for a new Chef to open his Mexican restaurant, my father applied and was hired years later. Mr. Ruben took over a small donut and hamburger shop at the Springdale and Edinger shopping center in Huntington Beach, and in 1969, my father, with a couple hundred dollars in his pocket, with the support of his wife, Consuelo, and children by his side, he started his dream. He always praises God that he was able to see the family's third generation involved in the business. In memory of our beloved father - you will be dearly missed.

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