El Patio (Closed)
Azusa, CA
Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo

The El Patio restaurant features some real authentic Mexican food. Unfortunately this place may be on its last legs.

Here's a look at a couple of the marquees that adorn this vintage Mexican food restaurant in Azusa.

UPDATE 01/04 : The El Patio no longer exists and is now home to Canyon City BBQ. It closed its doors this summer (2003). Many thanks to Joseph Tessier for update. 01-04

Ernie's
South Gate, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Here's an old 60's or 70's sign for Ernie's Mexican Restaurant. Check out the lantern on top of the marquee, quite typical for signage from this era.

Ernie Jr's Taco House
Glendale, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Interested in grabbing a good taco from a taco house? Then check out Ernie Jr's, no relation to Ernie's to the far left.

El Gordo (Demolished)
Temple City, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The El Gordo Restaurant marquee features a sombrero as part of its sign. Can't get much more authentic than this.

UPDATE 01/02 : Unfortunately the bulldozers got to this place just after the start of the new year. Fortunately, the El Gordo neon sign on the roof was acquired by the Museum of Neon Art and spared from destruction. 01-02