THE LAST ADVENTURE! Everything of any value seems to be leaving us. The Watermelon Festival failed and moved because of some greedy individuals that sold the Lion’s club a bucket of shit calling it caviar. And it’s gone, unless you want to visit its grave in Arcadia. But now we have a REAL something of “value” going away for ever. Yes boys and girls, I am talking about Ernie Jr’s Taco House in Eagle Rock. Tomorrow is its and its owner Ernie Cruzs last day of operation. I grew up eating at Ernie’s in Pasadena when there were no REAL Mexican restaurants within 20 miles of us. Oh sure, there was Jack Sullies’ Mi Casita that was bought out by Acapulco who merged with Los Arcos, but that was later in the 80’s. Ernie Jr’s was the place that parents took their kids for a real meal. Resplendent with a terracotta water fountain in the lobby. Something a kid could put his hands in and feel the family around him. I guess I was around 10 years old because I remember being introduced to “young” Ernie who gave me my first Mexican cookie. Funny the things you remember when you’re old. Their place was later bought out by the freeway people and we used to make the long drive to Eagle Rock in our 57 Ford. Going the long route over Pasadenas Suicide Bridge, passing “Chicken in the Rough” and then over the hill to Ernie’s. The first thing you saw was the sign, then the painting of the mounted bullfighter and then the smells would hit you. The absolutely great combinations of smells that you never could place, but you knew it was from something wonderful. We stopped in there today to say goodbye to Ernie and have our last meal there. As I was looking around at this historical monument to Mexican cuisine, I spotted the original menu framed on the wall. Can you believe it? A combo meal for $.75 American. As I was standing there, Trino, Ernies Manager of 30 years came by and would you believe it, he looked just the same, just a little more rounded out. Via Con Dios Ernie. You made my life a little happier.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 01:28:05 +0000
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