The Local Legend in Mexican Cuisine

California maybe better known for its varied choices of delectable cuisines from different continents brought in by early settlers. But in Eagle Rock, a unique Mexican restaurant has carved its name in the pages of Los Angeles County’s culinary history because of its authentic Mexican dishes that have kept customers coming back for the past 65 years.

I’m talking about Ernie Jr.’s Taco House. Yes, that popular Mexican restaurant on Broadway in Eagle Rock that serves tacos for $1 every Tuesday and Wednesday along with delicious and authentic guacamole, nachos, Mexican pizza, chile relleno, burrito, enchiladas, tostadas, and a long list of Mexican dishes you’ll love.

Ernie Jr.’s history of serving deliciously authentic Mexican food dates back to 1944, when the Cruz family introduced the first Ernie’s Taco House in Lincoln Heights. Another branch was opened in 1955 on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock. Ernie’s Taco House in Eagle Rock was then renamed to Ernie Jr.’s Taco House in 1955 and relocated in 1973 to its present location on Broadway.

What, then, brings people to drive all the way from Long Beach and farther areas to come to Ernie Jr.’s Taco House? (Keep in mind, from Pasadena Ernie Jr.’s is about 7 minutes away.)-

“I think it’s because we have been in this business for so long, and at that time [we started] there were very few Mexican restaurants. Most of our customers are loyal customers who have been eating a Burrito Caliente for 30 years and still come back for it,” said owner Ernie Cruz.

Customer loyalty, delicious Mexican dishes at reasonable prices, and of course the restaurant’s old Mexican ambiance serves as a magnet that draws people – Mexican food lovers and those who want a taste of Mexican cuisine – into Ernie Jr.’s Taco House.

“I have been eating at Ernie’s for a good 20+ years and nothing has changed. It’s perfect to me. I normally order two things: the house salad with the house dressing and the burrito verde with pork,” said a happy customer named Michellein from the online review website yelp.com. “The burrito is the best burrito I’ve ever had in LA. Maybe it’s because I’ve had it since I was a kid but there aren’t many restaurants that serve burritos that are this tasty. I can’t wait to go back”.

The recipes at Ernie Jr.’s were formulated by the family and passed on from generation to generation, said Cruz, whose father was born in New Mexico and whose mother was born in Aguas Calientes, very near Mexico City. Ernie Jr.’s has and will always stick to the roots of their family recipes that have their patrons coming back for more of those ‘Flavors of Northern Mexico’, Cruz says.

House favorites are the tacos and the burritos, especially the grande burrito that’s about the size of fire logs you buy for your fireplace. There are plenty you can choose from at Ernie Jr.’s. And there’s also beer, wine, liquor, and dessert to seal off your meals.

“Ernie Jr.’s is where I had my first Mexican food as a little kid in the ’50’s, so it really left an impression on me and I’ve judged all Mexican food by Ernie Jr’s ever since.  The original dishes are still on the menu, with delicious newer dishes added.  The best crunchy tacos and guacamole I’ve ever had in any Mexican restaurant, and there have been literally hundreds of those restaurants! Every time I come to L.A. to visit family, I try to visit Ernie Jr’s, too!” said Carla of Olympia, WA.

If you happen to visit Ernie Jr.’s on a Tuesday or Wednesday, get a taste of its taco that sells for $1. And while you’re there, run your fingers through the menu and try something that stirs your curiosity. Don’t worry, at Ernie Jr.’s all the food is delicious.

“I think our best selling point is that we have been in the business this long and not that many restaurants can say that! We’ve been in business for 65 years and that means we know what we are doing,” said Ernie.

Ernie Jr.’s Taco House is located in at 2803 West Broadway, Eagle Rock. It’s open Monday thru Friday from 11 a.m. to closing and Saturday / Sunday from 11:30 am to closing. You may contact Ernie at (323) 256.1298.