El Charro Mexican restaurant will permanently close its doors on January 1 after 73-years in business.
The owners posted the following message on their Facebook page:
It is with heavy hearts that we announce El Charro Mexican Dining, a Lafayette community staple of 70+ years, will be permanently closed beginning this Friday, January 1st, 2021. We will remain open for takeout beginning tomorrow and Thursday. Our last day of business will be New Year’s Eve. Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement not only in this past difficult year but for all of the years we have been blessed to share together. It’s been a pleasure to be a part of the memories you have made with your friends and family, which will always remain with us all, indefinitely.
With Love,
The El Charro Mexican Dining Team
To place orders for to go, and enjoy a final meal with us, please call: (925) 283-2345 or visit us at: https://www.elcharrolafayette.com/
The restaurant first opened in 1947.
photo: El Charro – Facebook
Sorry to see. May good fortune find you.
Flattening the employment curve.
Thanks Dems
Thanks Republicans for not doing anything on a federal level for small family businesses
Dems didn’t create the virus. How many times have you gotten take out from them in the last 6 months?
Dems, mostly king Gavin
Bob – the owners of the land sold it to developers so they can build more ugly condos. The building and land were LEASED to the operators of the restaurant. Blame it on greed
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I’m speechless. Wow.
I am good friends with Dave and Laura who own El Charro the restaurant. My heart is broken for both of them Laura said, that the Pandemic killed them. I am so sorry. It is Lafayette. Now what. It is the only cool soulful place to be I think with tradition. I am sick. So Laura and Dave I am very sorry this happened to you and your staff and all of us.
So, ilovepopcorn, how do you feel about the lockdowns now? I know you’ve been a big advocate of keeping everything closed.
CL as long as it annoys the right and puts a smile on here face she doesnt care if every business closed and everyone went on welfare,she never leaves her condo or wears a mask,life is just the same
My 26 year old son will be heart-broken. This was the first birthday on Dec 19th, he is 26 now, he was not able to celebrate at his favorite place, El Charro. Now this, so sad. He will miss their delicious chicken tortilla soup the most. Farwell friends!
I read in the Lamorinda Patch in November that the building was being sold.
This is a sad end to a sad year. We’ve been going there regularly since 1974 and are sorry to see them go. We also feel sorry for all of the people who work there that are losing their jobs.
The first Spanish i ever learned was from reading “Hola ninos” on their kid’s menu way back when. Sad to see another restaurant closing down.
My understanding is that some fraction of the ownership wants to sell the land vs. continuing restaurant operations. If so, it seems someone could relocate the business elsewhere in town. Given high rents and current restrictions this may not be that profitable/viable.
What? No more Garlic Butter dip? Tragic beyond words. Dang 2020.
I think that was cream cheese and garlic.
I was told that the dip was butter, blue cheese, and garlic. Am I wrong?
Sheila you are correct. I knew it was some kind of cheese. Just couldn’t remember which one.
MoJo
Some of us have the recipe….t
Ricardoh – not cream cheese…..butter, bleu cheese & garlic
Sheila – you are correct
WEre ALl In THiS TOGeTheR!
Do you really believe that? I bet the ex-owners of El Charro would beg to differ…
I hope you’re kidding. Dumbest phrase ever
The only Mexican restaurant my wife and I go to. This sucks. The place had to be a money maker. We even had a favorite table we reserved. I protest !!
Thanks Demos you are doing such a great Job! Voters wake up!
federal gov needs to pass some real support or else this will keep happening
That’s horrible news. First Freddie’s Pixza, now El Charro. I’d just like to get their recipe for the jalapeño chicken enchiladas, or at least the cheese sauce.
Perhaps they can publish a recipe book.
Kelly-it would be great if they did recipe book. Love their dip.
I see items for the dip-going to work on measurements.
Sorry to see them close..
My absolute favorite place. I’ve been gong there since I was a child. So very sad. Will try to squeeze in one last meal.
While enjoyable, El Charro is(was) not as good as La Fogata in Walnut Creek. Fogata has not been open since April, hoping it returns with vaccinations.
108RS
Wow, the end of an era. I actually recall being at the El Charro bar the night around 1998 when the indoor smoking ban went into effect! I’m so sorry to hear this classic hometown staple has succumbed to the cruel fate of covid-19. If only PPP loans had served small businesses and restaurants as intended instead of elites out for a money grab. Thanks for the memories, El Charro! I’ll remember your garlic butter dip always!!
Oh this makes me sad. I love El Charro. I better get their blue cheese & garlic dip recipe soon. I will order my dinner there this evening.
Have eaten there since the early 70s. I don’t eat Mexican anywhere else. Lots of fond memories of happier times and it is the end of an era, sadly. Good luck to them in their endeavors, whatever they might be. They will definitely be missed.
2020 horrible to the very end…. This is devastating news, a staple of the area for 73 years and so many memories for many people.
This is sad. Please let the employees take it over, during the pandemic the downstairs has been closed, we all would have been going to get togo. I cant count the times I tried calling. I couldn’t understand why only the upstairs was open.
Four generations of my family have eaten there. This is very sad!
We didn’t close the Togo, we had to move it upstairs because we couldn’t do the level of takeout or follow protocol from the downstairs kitchen. We have been open for takeout since May.
wow
so much for sanctuary by the dems
i guess they used the illegals for what the politicians wanted
ehhmmm cough …..census …..
now they shut them down just like the rest of us
i wonder who is next oh yeah thats right the self protesting genderers
again what do dem voters and sanctuary policies do for you
absolutely nothing but make dem politicians rich
nice work …..now that your 15 min of fame are gone
toil with the rest of us
yep you exclude us and call us names
but we are american citizens and are used to back stabbers …..
so we accept your lack of judgement and accept you and move on
can you ????
Unless the Fed Gov passes real stimulus for small businesses, rather than for the rich, then this will keep happening. Ask your representatives to fix the income inequity gap so that in the next downturn this wont happen again.
Interesting in that you somehow brought politics into your tirade about a restaurant closing…. one sided tirade I might add.
Sad, so sad in many ways…..😔
If only we could take the stimulus money set aside for gender studies in Pakistan and use it here……..
Make way for more high density housing
Hearing this news has literally brought tears to my eyes… Aside from just enjoying hundreds of dinners out (for no reason) over seven decades, El Charro has been the center of COUNTLESS birthday, anniversaries and other milestones of FIVE GENERATIONS of my family over the past 65+ years. El Charro has served as the centerpiece of our most precious and happiest family moments. Sooooo many memories!!!! This truly feels like a death… and just as when we lost Freddie’s Pizza and the Cape Cod, the pain and longing never completely goes away. The El Charro family has our DEEPEST gratitude and appreciation.. we wish you all the very, very best in the future. Thank you thank you thank you… please know you’ll always be loved and never, ever forgotten.
PS… (it sure would be amazing if somehow the “big hat” was somehow displayed and memorialized somewhere in the town!
A bummer to hear. Thinking of the Cape Cod too brings back fond memories.
My kid’s called the Big Hat restaurant. Somebody should save it.
RECALL GAVIN recallgavin2020.com
I was painted into the mural in 1969 by Alice. I was 26 years old, working at Wells Fargo Bank, and Alice took me out to lunch at El Charro to show me the painting that included me. I would love to know more about Alice.
Many years of wonderful memories – heartbroken to see El Charro go.
Carol
I am sorry for your loss. You are not alone. The worst part is knowing that it was not necessary.
We’re surrounded by Dims who ignore truth. All actions have consequences.
I squarely lay the blame on the Democrat liberals. You are responsible for the loss of this business, the loss of jobs for all their loyal employees and the economic fallout to come.
This includes but is not limited to the left leaning Mayors and city council members who permit businesses to be fined and who don’t tell their local police to stand down.
It includes the Board of Supervisors who have done the same and who also allowed the Health Department to crush small business while letting big business make out like bandits.
This includes Chamber of Commerce who should be rallying against this idiocy.
Shame on you all for not seeking out the truth and standing up for the people who trusted you with their vote to do the right thing.
There is a 99% survival rate from COVID. It came from China. Hydroxychloroquine keeps 85% of at risk patients from ever going to the hospital and saves their lives. Ivermectin has proven to be even more effective than HCQ.
The “vaccine” is experimental. The drug companies are not liable for the harm their products may cause.
I tell no lies. I am honest and un-afraid to ask questions. I am also not afraid to point out the truth however unpopular. Check for yourself. Don’t trust me. The truth is everything.
The emperor has no clothes.
Whoa whoa whoa. Take it easy with those conspiracies. You’ll kill grandma and grandpa with your Russian disinformation (Facetious comment also).
Oversupply of information in 2020 and now part of our everyday lives has made people complacent in trying to figure out the truth. Instead they turn on mainstream media or simply ‘fact-checkers’ from Twitter and Facebook that simply gaslight them into believing they don’t see what they are seeing right before their eyes.
@Patriot
Thank you for speaking the truth. We need many more patriots like you.
Stay strong
Not sure someone could pack more bad information in one post than you.
El Charro is closing because the ownership group is selling the property. From what it sounds like there are multiple owners, some not local (I’m guessing these are heirs of the original owners) and they want their money out.
Even though this is about the only place to get good Mexican food in Lamorinda, I won’t miss it. See Aunt Barbara and Bibbey’s comments. It never happened to us, but it was happening. We stopped going years ago.
Why didn’t you & Aunt Barbara speak up
earlier to the owners or the police if you
knew employees were being dishonest.
Your comments are a little too late to
help them now. I’m gonna miss El Charro.
They were well aware of it before I found out, and employee(s) were let go. Do you really think customers would just let it go, or an employer would do nothing?
Why is everyone so sad? Just think of all the lives you’ve saved by not going to these restaurants and other small businesses. It doesn’t matter that they’ve lost their livelihood and medical insurance, lives have been saved by shutting down businesses, wearing masks and staying six feet apart. Great success! (Facetious comment)
My family has been going to el Charro consistently since the 50s. I remember as a kid the ‘kids plate’: a tiny taco, burrito & enchilada. And the cheese dip-Wow. It will be missed.
We moved to this area in 1962 and our first meal was at El Charro and our family went there so often with our kids, through the year SM and then with friends, and the past 12 years I have been part of a lunch group of friends once a month. So many good memories! Good luck with your retirement.
Whoa, Aunt Barbara you ain’t holding back. Hope you are not spreading rumors. We never had a problem but one beer or one glass of wine does not make you drunk. Those are some serious charges though.
This closing has nothing to do with politics or even the pandemic. The property is owned by a group of investors that do not run the restaurant. Most of these investors want to sell the property. We can expect to see some high density homes.
I worked at El Charro for 16 years. Hired as a dishwasher at 16. Became a busboy then a waiter and bartender. Worked with Dave and Laura (when she was a waitress). Met a great girlfriend (or 2 or 4) who I’m great friends with to this day. El Charro was like family. From Chito, the foul mouthed cook to Dave Junior who used to ask people (when he was bartending) “do you really need that second drink?” I loved working there. I loved the food and I loved the people. It’s been 19 years since my last day at El Charro but I look back fondly, often. Thank you Dave!!!! I’ll miss it.
This makes me so sad. Can someone save this place? It really is an important place in the community. 😫 it’s a Lafayette landmark
Add to the future “Remember When” series. IE; Remember when Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord had quaint downtowns, with family friendly restaurants with reasonable prices and free parking…replaced by cookie cutter clip-joints and carpeted by meters due to rabid dog politicians elected by a populace too ignorant to know any better?
The hell? Steven is one of the most honest people and managers I know. And he still works there. Not sure where you get your info from but that’s nuts.
I hope you China virus/mask freaks are happy…THIS is part of your sad, pathetic legacy, driving everything from new, fledgling businesses to long-established restaurants like El Charro and the iconic Cliff House out of business, for a f*****n virus with a 99.9% survival rate. You people are stark-raving nuthouse lunatics.
I’ve a feeling that the cure we’ve got is worse than the disease!
This closing has nothing to do with politics or even the pandemic. The property is owned by a group of investors that do not run the restaurant. Most of these investors want to sell the property. Expect to see some new high density homes.
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What a shame. Great place. Unfortunately when we come out of this crap there will be a lot of empty buildings like this. Good luck to the owners and thanks for the memories.
Oh poor Chicken Little: The lockdowns are essential! The pandemic is not political. We are in a very serious situation with not enough medical support to take care of you or me. Too bad we can’t lockdown people’s masks on their faces. That is how I feel since you asked.
Glad you are in no position to make decisions you sound rather draconian in your philosophy…
Aunt Barbara: Shame on you. Those are vicious hurtful lies. You are good at being critical but you should think before you spew the vitriol.
I got a bartending job at El Charro in 1996, I was lucky enough to be there for 8 years. The people I was fortunate enough to work with are some of the best I’ve had the pleasure to be around. Thank you very much Dave Shields, GOD bless you and the whole family. This is the worst end to a terrible year, please save “The Hat”
Dave is a friend of my family and Laura. They are wonderful people. I Please pray for them.
Oh my gosh I am so sorry for this family and for my family as we have been patrons for over 50 years! I am 57 now and I remember my dad lifting us kids up to touch the huge hat on the wall near the entrance because we were so little. Eventually we could jump up to touch it, then touch it without jumping etc as we grew up. I did the same thing with my daughter who is all grown up now. I have literally gone there hundreds of times to celebrate family birthdays, gather with friends etc. I even had my first job (besides babysitting) as a hostess at El Charro when I was 17. Very kind and warm family as was the atmosphere inside. Maybe they can sell the recipes to someone else who can re-open “El Charro 2” after the pandemic is over.
For everyone blaming politics you obviously have not paid attention to what’s happening in Lafayette. Everyone is selling property to developers so more ugly condos can be built. And that is what happened here. The operators of the restaurant leased the building/land. The land owners decided to sell to the highest bidders.
Sad to say the Lafayette I grew up in is long gone. Give it about 5 more years and it will be wall to wall condos. It will be as ugly as Concord with all the crap they are building
Thank you for the mention and correction regarding politics not being the cause. 😌
Money,money,money….😄
Obviously as a life long Concord resident, not happy about the rude comment.
My best to everyone.
Happy and healthy New Year!
Thank you El Charro Family for all the great Birthday, Anniversary, Pre Game, Special Event and just our typical lunch & dinner cravings. We will miss everyone that we have met over the past 45 years of enjoying the family gathering place you have made so special for so many.
I’m Truly Saddened to hear this news. I worked there as a busboy 35 years ago. I have been enjoying EI Charro with family and friends ever since!
It Truly sucks that we have to lose such an icon in our community!!
Yours’ Daryl Hardy
I drove along Mt. Diablo Blvd in Lafayette yesterday, from Diablo Foods east to PH Road. The number of vacant business-related buildings along that stretch continues to grow, and a considerable amount of the older buildings appear to have fallen into neglect with lack of routine upkeep and maintenance.
It will be interesting to see what happens to/develops in that stretch over the next few years. Same goes for all of the vacant buildings and closed retail/restaurant/personal service businesses in downtown WC.
You know what is going to develop with all of these vacancies, small business is being put out to die.
Mary Fouts
All those neglected deserted properties will be torn down and replaced by ugly condos. Lafayette will be the condo capital of CCC
The Lafayette I grew up in is gone. It is just a rich persons ugly town now. So sad what has happened. It started when the fabulous brick building that house Freddie’s Pizza for so many years was torn down and they built the ugly azz thing we called “Smurf Village”.
Even if property is being sold, customer loyalty would follow restaurant opening in another location. Even opening in another city, customers would come and good reputation would draw in many new customers.
Given restrictions politicians and bureaucrats have imposed, a financial institution would be reluctant to lend money needed to set up a new location.
An permitting in this state and county is a LONG friggin’ nightmare.
Given long and ongoing anti business political climate, can understand owners wanting to unload property holdings in this state.
Speaking of customer loyalty: If every person affiliated with a business that has been injured would sign the recall, the signatures needed would be reached quickly. Recall Gavin 2020.
https://recallgavin2020.com/
Retail/commercial space in Contra Costa County is extremely expensive, There were lots of retail/commercial properties vacant in CCC prior to any pandemic or shut down because of high leasing cost. If a crappy 2 bedroom apartment in Concord rents for $2,200 a month just think what a restaurant space would cost. Especially a space the size they had.
Honestly they would be better leasing a small “to go” only type space with a drive thru and feature their most popular items, I have 2 such places where I live now and they are always busy
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Popcorn: Shame on you. Those are vicious hurtful lies. You are good at being critical but you should think before you spew the vitriol.
Anyone know the blue cheese butter dip recipe or what they put in their margaritas?
Blue cheese, butter and garlic
Sadly it seems the company we got our Marg mix from might be going out of business as well. They are called Baldwin and they’re based in Vallejo.
-Former GM at El Charro
I say recall “Fearless Spectator”
for the tired and selfish drumbeat of recall the current governor. Stand up and run for office as you seem to have much to offer…. or so you think.
Let the folks decide your public fate.
Happy and healthy New Year –
Time to start anew….. 🇺🇸
We had our first dinner out together 60+ years ago at El Charro’s.
I had NEVER seen Mexican food. I ordered the Combination plate and when
I got to the Hard Shelled Taco I asked my Bride to be, How does one eat this ?
She replied, “With a fork” ! I hd broken Taco Shell all over the table and the
floor ! People all around us were having a good laugh!
Thanks for the memories from all of the years and visits thereafter.
Doug
Nevada City, CA