Lucia Rodriguez opened Mitla Cafe in 1937, on the heels of the great depression. The San Bernardino restaurant is located on a segment of former Route 66.
Segregation was in full effect at this point and west San Bernardino was where Mexicans were restricted to living. Mitla Cafe is where they gathered.
It was also where the community organized. Politicians and civic leaders made frequent stops at the restaurant. In fact, Cesar Chavez was a known regular when he was in town.
They also had their own baseball team.
Source: San Bernardino County Sun
Source: Route 66 Women
1945
Source: San Bernardino County Sun
Besides the signage, it still looks the same.
They also did some redecorating in 1954.
Source: San Bernardino County Sun
In this photo of Route 66 from the mid 1950s, Mitla is on the left. In addition to being a landmark restaurant and cultural institution, Mitla Cafe is also responsible for something they might not be so proud of.
Source: Mt. Vernon/ Route 66 Historical Society
Glen Bell opened Bell’s Hamburgers and Hot Dogs in 1948. He had grand visions of becoming the next McDonald's. In 1950 he located his third burger stand directly across the street from Mitla Cafe.
While working there, he saw lines of people at Mitla. He also dined there often to eat tacos after he closed. In Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America, by Gustavo Arellano, it was noted that the owners of Mitla recounted that Mr. Bell was there a lot and kept asking about the tacos, how he made them, and they finally invited him into the kitchen to teach him how they made their crispy hard shell tacos (Tacos Dorados) filled with ground beef.
Glen took that knowledge and worked on increasing production and Taco Tia in Redlands was his first dedicated taco stand.
Source: Taco Bell
In 1962, he opened the first Taco Bell on Firestone Blvd. in Downey, CA. Ed Hackbarth, one of Bell's first employees and partners would then go on to start Del Taco.
Source: Taco Bell
Interesting thing about this building, which was designed by architect Robert McKay, is that in 2015 it narrowly escaped demolition. It was purchased by Taco Bell and now in the parking lot of there corporate headquarters in Irvine.
Source: LA Times
Back to the real Mexican food.
I had the Chili Relleno and they were great. Although truth be told, I do also like Taco Bell bean burritos.
