For today’s #TinaTuesday, I had the pleasure of visiting Ramon Velasco and his restaurant El Tapatio on Golf Club Rd.  Yum, btw.  El Tapatio is a wonderful, local and completely family run business here in Pleasant Hill.  El Tapatio actually began in 1979 on Willow Pass Rd., when Ramon’s father, Antonio Velasco, first opened what would then become one of three restaurants before returning to just one family run location in Pleasant Hill.  Ramon’s father came here from Guadalajara in 1959, and he opened El Tapatio in 1979.  Fun Fact… Did you know that “Tapatio’s” is a nickname for the residents of Guadalajara, hence the name “El Tapatio.”  In 1982 they opened a second location on Treat Blvd, and in 1984 they opened their third location in Pleasant Hill on Golf Club Rd.  The first two restaurants were later sold, and now the Pleasant Hill location is the only one remaining in the Velasco Family.  The Pleasant Hill location and the Velasco family have definitely seen their share of hardship, with a fire in 2006 and again in 2009.  Both fires were electrical fires that started in the kitchen during the night hours, and both fires burned the restaurant to the ground for a complete loss.  Each fire created a great loss for Ramon and his family, but they never gave up!  Both time’s they rebuilt the restaurant from the ground up.  I can’t imagine what they went through after the first fire, and not even two years later to go through it all over again is unimaginable.  To say that they rose from the ashes to become what they are today, is an understatement.  Today, El Tapatio is co-run by Ramon and his sister Patty, and is a thriving part of the community, with regulars, DVC students and Staff, and people from all around enjoying the amazing food and drinks that they have to offer.
 
Here are some more things you may not have known about El Tapatio…

• They have an amazing Sunday Brunch from 9am-2pm every Sunday, with regular breakfast items as well as traditional Mexican dishes.
• They have Taco Tuesday’s every Tuesday, where they serve $1.50 street tacos all day on top of their regular menu items.  Street tacos are my absolute favorite dish, and you can usually find me there on Tuesday evenings with my kid.
• Happy Hour is M-F from 3-6pm
• They have a Banquet room that seats 50ppl, or 75ppl standing
• They also cater anywhere in the East Bay, up to 250ppl
• Seven of Ramon’s and Patty’s children (3^rd generation Velasco family) have or are currently working there
• They currently employ 24 staff, and one staff member has been with them for over 20 yrs.
• They are also known for their amazing Chile Rellanos and Fajita plates.

 
Are you hungry yet?  If you haven’t been to El Tapatio, I highly recommend going soon, maybe tonight for Taco Tuesday?  Thank you Ramon, for taking the time to sit with me and fill me in on all the great things you and your family have done to bring the amazing dishes of Mexico right here to our Pleasant Hill Community.  I for one am truly grateful, especially on Tuesday’s.  😉