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Featured
Article
Ricardo's
Place
Sharing Authentic Mexican Cuisine is a Family
Tradition
 When
Ricardo's Place opened in San Juan Capistrano
residents took notice as a familiar building
took on new life, colorful inviting décor
and began to bustle with activity as customers
discovered a local hot spot.
What
they also discovered is that Ricardo is
not only a real person who visits with the
diners but he is carrying on a family legacy
of over 30 years in the restaurant business
here in South Orange County and the Capistrano
Valley.
It
all began with Grandma Juana in Mixtlan
Jalisco, Mexico. She was the main Chef in
her hometown preparing the food for events
parties and weddings and making every event
memorable. Her recipes were passed to Mamacita
Alicia who brought the secret recipes to
Southern California 30 years ago along with
two brothers and eight children.
Ricardo,
a San Clemente high school graduate, encouraged
Mamacita to open her first restaurant in
the middle of the 1980's. Ricardo, Alicia,
Alejandro, Estela, Bertha and Rosa as well
as the rest of the family are dedicated
to create the healthiest and most affordable
Mexican food around. Ricardo's first restaurant
job was at Pete and Clara's which was once
in the building that is now Ricardo's Place
and
Ricardo's mother worked at Walnut Grove
in the early 70's. A new generation is now
at work at Ricardo's Place with Ricardo's
daughter, who has a career in human resources,
working there three days a week and his
son also taking an interest in the restaurant
business as he is in collage with a Business
Major.
This
family affair extends to La
Cocina de Ricardo, their Lake Forest
location, managed by Uncle Mario. Many Orange
County residents will remember Mario as
the popular manager of legendary Mexican
restaurant, The Villa, which was a Dana
Point landmark for Decades. La Cocina de
Ricardo's San Clemente location is managed
by Ricardo's sister Bertha and brother Alejandro
and has proudly served locals for 15 years
with special thanks to San Clemente High
School students and staff whose patronage
has contributed to the restaurant's success.
The San Clemente location does not serve
alcohol.
Both
Ricardo's Place and La Cocina Ricardo have
a full catering liquor license. Mario created
what many consider the Best Margarita in
Southern California. Serving both Sonora
Style and Jalisco style Mexican food, Ricardo's
is famous for their soups and Carnitas.
They feature 12 soups and among the favorites
are Caldo 7 Mares or Seven Seas; filled
with Fish, shrimp, crab legs, clams and
octopus and Pozole, hominy and pork soup.
Birria or Goat Meat Soup is a delicacy that
many request. Ricardo's Carnitas is made
with lean chunks of pork fried with jalapenos,
onions and Cilantro.
The
location of Ricardo's Place in the heart
of San Juan Capistrano is a natural evolution
of a family legacy that has been deeply
rooted in this community, which now enjoys
the taste and spirit of Mexico in a bright
cheery and welcoming venue with the family
who has been here all along.
©
Copyright 2005 Christina Duane & Ricardo's
Place . No unauthorized duplication
without written consent.
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