Signs of the Times: Henry's Tacos, Long Live the Memory

I wish this was a "Chow Time" post but evidently, it was not meant to be.  

Initially I was resistant to the idea of blogging because I am the late adopter of all late adopters.  When technology is involved, I am usually the last person to make the scene.

I have to be dragged kicking and screaming toward anything more
 technologically-advanced than an Apple IIC and a Walkman.
Getting pretty banged up along the way, I guess you could call me a "haggard laggard."

Moore's Technology Adoption Lifecycle
(Source)

Fortunately, I made the leap, resulting in friends/virtual pen pals all over the world.  Even with this reliable network of cool folks who are always on the lookout for the weird, wild, and wonderful, it never ceases to amaze me when I am alerted to something wacky tacky in my own backyard by someone who lives clear across the country.  Such was the case when our pal Mod Betty at Retro Roadmap, informed us of Henry's Tacos, a googie taco stand in crisis in North Hollywood.  Sadly, after a battle with an evil tyrant of a landlord, this San Fernando Valley landmark closed this month after 51 years of business.

RIP Henry's Tacos - North Hollywood
(photo by iamnotanartist)

Now, technically, North Hollywood is slightly further afield than my own backyard, so Henry's was a place that I did not frequent and had not heard of until the brouhaha surrounding its application for landmark status.  Hearing that its doom was very much impending, we went by twice before its official closing date only to find it well...closed.  At that moment, I would have given anything to sink my teeth into that prime example of authentic Mexican cuisine, the Taco Burger with cheese. 

...so hungry for taco burgers....

Nevertheless, I had to be sated alone by the groovy architecture and brilliant signage.

Don't you love it?
It isn't much, but imagine those hot summer nights of '65 with everyone
 hanging out at the picnic tables and chowing down on taco burgers.
It sounds like a dream!

The "tacos" font is second only in greatness to the brilliant color scheme.

I want one of these.
I hoped they would go to the good home of a longtime employee or patron;
I have learned subsequently that they have already found a place
with San Fernando Valley Relics with the idea that they would
become part of a SFV heritage museum. 

Most cases of a hallowed landmark shuttering its doors after decades in business would result in a tear-stained missive by Mr. Tiny founded strongly on the principle of our need to support local, old-timey, family-owned, wacky tacky, mom 'n pop businesses.  In the case of Henry's Tacos, however, the closing was the result of a greedy landlord and a small business owner's desire for recognition as an historic landmark.  I guess the real lesson here is "Go to these places while they are still around because one never knows when they will fall victim to neglect, greed, old age, indifference, or worst of all, 'progress.'"  For fans of the taco burger (I can't let it go), the good news is that there are plans to establish a new Henry's location with the reins being passed to a veteran employee.  Viva Henry's!!!



Henry's Tacos (the building still stands but the signs are already gone)
11401 Moorpark St
North Hollywood, CA

Thanks Mod Betty for letting us know about Henry's, even if we were a little too late - laggards in all things, I guess!


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Chow Time: Ramon's Cactus Patch

Ramon's Cactus Patch is a family run restaurant that has been serving the people of Ontario and the surrounding environs for 75 years - that is a long time by any standard.  Given its age, one might expect time-honored recipes rich in flavor and authenticity.  That is not quite the case at Ramon's; it is more the kind of eatery where the garnish is iceberg and the queso, Velveeta.  I am not an authority on Mexican food and I certainly couldn't describe the culinary variances from state to state, but I must say that Ramon's seems more reflective of Depression-era practicality and economy rather than the genuine flavors of old Mexico.

The Cactus Patch

I know, that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, but stay with me.  The food may be more like the kind that my abuelita (of Swiss extraction by way of East Canton, Ohio) used to make, but that isn't to say that the food isn't tasty.  I particularly liked the chips and salsa.  We actually went to Ramon's based on the hearty testimonials of two friends, both of whom grew up in the area, and one of whom had parents eating there the very night we went.  I think nostalgia played a big part in their recommendation as the online reviews vary greatly and are particularly favorable when the source is a patron who was "raised on Ramon's."  As is the case with most wacky tacky eateries, the food is only a small portion of the appeal and from the looks of it, everything was coming up succulents at the Cactus Patch!

Ramon's Cactus Patch is housed in, of all the things, a house!!
 The homey appeal was definitely there and the staff was warm and inviting.

Originally opened in 1937 in downtown Ontario's Orange Hotel, Ramon's Cactus Patch found its current home in 1962.  We stepped through the front door and immediately I noticed that the interior was nothing but wall-to-wall wacky tacky works of art; Ramon's was already becoming a hit in my book!

But really...you had me at glitter ceiling!!!

Further evidence that RCP was once a residence is the
beautiful Living Room that is used for additional dining
space.  Don't you love the fireplace and the exposed
 beams?  That, plus a commercial kitchen...I'm ready to move in!

If you needed any more proof that RCP was a home, go wash your hands in the restroom.
It is still fully outfitted with a bathtub.  Just in case you were overcome with the mad desire
 to strip down and get clean, the management has covered the tub to keep you from
 embarrassing yourself in public.

I love that "Common decency" supercedes "State law."
I wish the people I work with would get decent!!!
 Fortunately, I'm not in the food service industry.

Now that our hands were clean, we could get down to the grubbin'.

Bob and the RCP menu.  He was so happy with the chicken taco he ordered,
 that I missed the opportunity to get a picture.  Apparently, the beef taco is
 a burger patty in a taco shell - I didn't find that out until after we had ordered!!!

Cheese Enchilada

Combo Burrito

Tostada

I really liked the dishes - not so much the food, as the actual serving pieces

RCP really did feel like going to grandma's for dinner.
It definitely had a timeless quality to it, which is reflected in this clock
 that read 1:50 and I know we were there at about 7:30!

In the end, I really liked Ramon's Cactus Patch.  I love places that have served a community for so long that they have become institutions and rich sources of nostalgia.  Again, the food was definitely not the best I've ever tasted, but it did a body good to sit in a home and enjoy the same hearty food that has been faithfully served to generations of happy families.  If you're ever in the area, you should stop in and grab a bite - especially if you've got a hankering for some Velveeta!

Ramon's Cactus Patch
647 W California St
Ontario, CA
(909)984-3130




Cheers & Buen Provecho!

Mr. Tiny

Back In the Saddle: A Cowboy Birthday

Last weekend we were invited to a very special western-themed birthday party for our friend, Amber.  It was held in the beautiful backyard of the home she shares with her husband, Bob.

All the guests were given a "western welcome" with their
very own, personalized, mason jar drinking glass.

 

Mr. Tiny & Mary with the birthday girl, Amber (I stole this photo from her).
 One can almost see the ghost of bunny ears behind Amber's head that she so
artfully retouched out of the photo.

Bob & Amber's backyard is great!  It is perennially decked out with a western/desert motif so the setting was ideally apropos.  I should have taken more pictures of the perfect surroundings that included wagon wheels, succulents, the barn and the corn!  Here are some photos of the cool desert details that were waiting around every corner.

 

 

The garden path (by day & by night) was lit with kerosene railroad lanterns. 

I've mentioned it before, but it bears repeating, I LOVE WESTERN WEAR!!!  My collection, if it can be called that, is measly, consisting mostly of ties.  There is something about the incredible detailing, the folksy charm, and the spirit of the West that makes western wear a favorite for me.  Not to mention the brilliant people like Nudie, Manuel, Jaime, Gene, Dale & Roy, and The Sons of the Pioneers that made western wear COOL!  Unfortunately, I can never really pull off the entire look head-to-toe because my arches are high and my calves too thick to wear boots!  Nevertheless, here are some fancy western duds.

Queens of the Rodeo, Amber & Mary. 

Mary wore a vintage western shirt with new two-piece western

ensemble that I finished for her right before we left for the party. 

I think it needs some applique before it is truly "finished."

Ben & Mary showing off their matching shirts

How!
Pale Face heap happy to see Lone Wolf, Emily,
(the only Native American represented) at the party.

My favorite family photo of the night.
 Lovey, Charles & Dollie
 Are you my mommy?

All the food an fixin's were delicious.  People roasted hot dogs over the open fire and I made my award-winning roasted potato salad.  My mom and dad told me that bestowing an award to oneself in no way negates the validity of the award.

Amber made all kinds of tasty, themed offerings.
You'll have to ask her why they are labeled "Smore Pogs,"
but I was particularly taken with these S'More Pops.
It would've been easy to fill up on homemade rice krispie
treats too, but...

We had to save room for the beautiful horseshoe cake that Dollie made!

Amber's feeling lucky with her lucky horseshoe cake.

No matter how much cake one consumes, there is always room for presents.

Charles & Amber and an inch worm

After the sun set slowly in the western skies, a chill set in, so we gathered around the campfire to sing some cowboy songs.

Singing cowboy songs with Steve, Mary, Ben, Amber, and Dave was my favorite
part of the evening.  Among all of the wonderful bands in which he plays, Dave is
a feature in The Lucky Stars, the kings of western swing in Southern California.

You know it's a good party when....
Happy Birthday, Amber!!!

Here are a couple tunes to give you the feeling of our wild west shindig!

 

"Way Out There" - Sons of the Pioneers

"Tumblin' Tumbleweeds" - Sons of the Pioneers

Cheers & Happy Trails!

Mr. Tiny