I bet a lot of you did not know I was of Mexican descent, but I am! My mother’s family is from Mexico. In fact, my amazing grandfather had a wonderful supermarket and restaurant, La Luz Del Dia, on Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles. The supermarket has been closed down since his death, but his wonderful (and well known restaurant) is still going strong thanks to my uncles and my cousins. Tomorrow, September 17, 2009 is La Luz Del Dia’s 50th Anniversary! I spent a lot of my childhood here, playing in the back of the restaurant, running up and down Olvera Street, and having a super time. The food is authentic Mexican. I remember watching those ladies make the tortillas when I was little! They still make their own tortillas (the best tortillas!) and have real and delicious Mexican dishes. I love the rice, it is super and the carnitas are amazing! I just wanted to take this time to remember my grandfather, Jack Berber, and the amazing gift he gave to all of us; most importantly, the legacy he left behind. My grandfather was amazing, absolutely amazing and I miss him everyday, but, I know wherever he is, he is smiling big!
La Luz del Dia on Olvera Street Celebrates its 50th Anniversary
By Amy Scattergood in Eat and Drink Calendar, LA Restaurants, Mexican CuisineWednesday, Sep. 9 2009 @ 1:00PM
In these uneasy economic times, when food trucks materialize seemingly overnight and established restaurants can close their doors just as quickly, it’s comforting to celebrate a local favorite that’s been around for half a century. La Luz del Dia on Olvera Street turns 50 years old next week. And waitress Paula Garcia has been there for that entire time, having first started on the job in 1959. Next Thursday, September 17, you can toast them both, as the restaurant marks the occasion with live mariachis and half-price carnitas and tacos.
Photo credit: La Luz del Dia
Women making tortillas at La Luz del Dia, circa early 1960’s
La Luz del Dia serves its Michoacan-style food, hand-made tortillas and carnitas, cactus salad and picadillo, in the Simpson Jones building, built in 1894. The restaurant was founded by Jack Berber and his cousin Francisco Cazares (their family still owns and operates the restaurant) at the suggestion of Christine Sterling, the socialite responsible for encouraging Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler to help refurbish the then-deteriorating neighborhood. The restaurant has been in operation ever since.
Tina Rosener
September 22, 2009Jennifer, I had no idea you had ties to this restaurant — it has always been one of my favorites! My family and I have been going here since I was little and we reference it as the place with the best carnitas and handmade tortillas ever! So glad it’s still going strong. Best wishes!
Jennifer
September 23, 2009I am so glad to hear it! I grew up here, essentially. We use to own the supermarket too (my grandfather) and that is where my mom use to get all of our meat. I was at Olvera Street so much growing up! It was so much fun to go and celebrate the 50 years. I love it there and the carnitas rock!