When Salvador Avila crossed the border under the Bracero Program, he carried the weight of his family’s dreams and the unshakable dignity of a man determined to build a better future. As stated in the L.A. Times, “Faith played a role in Avila’s decision to get into the restaurant business back in the 1960s.” As Salvador strived to reunite with his family, the Avila family was given a chance to buy a restaurant. The L.A. Times article goes on to say that with just a $2,000 investment, they took the family recipes and created the American dream.
Avila’s El Ranchito: The Legacy of the Avila Family
With the City of Costa Mesa feature, it all started with Salvador, Margarita Avila, and their six children, who immigrated from Guanajuato, Mexico, in 1958 in search of a better life. They opened their first restaurant in Huntington Park in 1966, bringing cherished family recipes that would last decades later. That dream grew into 12 restaurants, each run by different family members based on the same values: faith, family unity, hard work and dedication to the community. The Costa Mesa location opened in 1977 and quickly became a staple in the community. For more than 47 years, Avila’s El Ranchito in Costa Mesa has been a treasured gathering place for locals. On Placentia Avenue in Costa Mesa, this family-owned restaurant isn’t just about serving incredible Mexican food—it’s about creating a sense of family, celebrating heritage and giving back to the community.
At the center of the Costa Mesa location is Maria Elena Avila, the matriarch who inherited her mother’s love of the kitchen, creating new dishes using authentic ingredients prepared in a fresh new way. The L.A. Times highlights, this allowed the Costa Mesa location to become the “Test Kitchen” for the Avila family restaurants.
As stated in the Locale Magazine, “Maria Elena keeps Mama’s scratch-made recipes alive and well, but that hasn’t stopped her from creating some new dishes. Two of the most popular dishes include the Botana de Carnitas, a build-your-own taco platter with marinated carnitas, avocados, tomatoes, and corn tortillas, and Pepe’s Special, a skillet of caramelized onions with tender strips of rib-eye steak and Mama Avila’s chile negro sauce.”
Maria Elena: The Matriarch
Maria Elena is not just a restaurant owner; she’s a leader, a mentor, and a caring Abuelita. Having been a businesswoman in Costa Mesa for over 47 years, she became a significant part of the Costa Mesa community. As stated in the LA Times, One of her most proud accomplishments is helping establish the Jesse Miranda Center at Vanguard University. Dr. Miranda was a national Latino Leader and a very dear friend of hers. This shows how much she cares about education and the local community.
A Passion for Giving Back
Maria Elena’s passion for service goes beyond her restaurant. According to an interview with Locale Magazine, “Being a businesswoman and a Latina, I felt like we needed those role models, and I wanted to be a bridge in our community and represent Latina women and businesswomen.” She dedicated her life to helping others, particularly young people and immigrants, by helping them get an education. Having lived the immigrant experience, she understands the challenges. As stated in an L.A. Times article, Maria Elena has spent years supporting churches, youth programs and education programs. She was on the board of United Way and UC Irvine and a founding member of HEEF (Hispanic Education Endowment Fund). Her leadership and commitment earned her the Costa Mesa Businessperson of the Year.
For Maria Elena, operating the restaurant isn’t just about food—it’s about building community and the “art of relationships”. She has created a space where customers are treated like family and employees stay for decades. Her efforts have had a lasting impact, from giving immigrants a sense of belonging to helping the Latino community grow in local representation.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
With the fourth generation of Avila’s preparing to step into leadership, the future of Avila’s El Ranchito looks bright. But one thing will never change: the commitment to preserving the authentic recipes and the values of faith, family unity, and hard work that Salvador and Margarita established, and Maria Elena carried forward. As an Avila myself, I can confidently say that my Abuelita has helped prepare me for the future of being a business leader.
At Avila’s El Ranchito, Costa Mesa, the sense of family is unmistakable. And for Maria Elena, it’s all about honoring her heritage, embracing her community and ensuring the Avila’s legacy continues.
