El Indio – Voted Best San Diego Mexican Food By Its Customers!

Jan. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- When it comes to San Diego Mexican food El Indio’s loyal customers vote the restaurant as providing the best San Diego Mexican food. As a third generation Mexican restaurant they also receive high marks for Mexican food catering.

Founded in 1940 by Ralph Pesqueira Sr. El Indio has a tradition of providing traditional Mexican food that offers authentic Sonora style dishes. With three generations of history providing great food it’s interesting to note that El Indio didn’t start out as a restaurant by Ralph Sr. He actually started out as a tortilla factory that made fresh handmade corn tortillas.

Workers from a nearby factory kept after Ralph Sr. to make some lunch items. He finally gave in and created the first taquito. Taquito means little taco and has become a favorite for all Mexican restaurants. That may have been what planted the seed in Ralph’s mind to open a restaurant.

In 1945 he realized that making tortillas by hand was too limiting. He could only make 30 dozen tortillas per day and the demand was growing as more and more restaurants ordered from him. He built the first tortilla machine in his basement and production grew to 30 dozen tortillas per hour instead of per day.

In 1947 Ralph moved the whole operation to Mission Hills at 3695 India St. and their reputation as a favorite among Mexican restaurants in San Diego, but also as a favorite Mexican food catering restaurant continued to grow. They can cater to any party or event at your place or on their patio for special events such as wedding receptions, etc.

El Indio is known all around the world because of their care packages provided to service men serving in major theatres of war such as Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers have often been the recipient of care packages from the restaurant and often visit when they return to the states. It’s worth mentioning that The Honorable Pete Wilson asked El Indio to cater his first inauguration as Governor of California.

Ralph Jr. took over the business in 1981 after the passing of Ralph Sr. He had worked in the business as a boy and is still known as “Sonny” to many longtime customers of El Indio. Today the restaurant is managed by the daughters and they continue to keep up the same quality and tradition established years ago by Ralph Jr. and his father.

If you’re looking for the best Mexican food in San Diego, longtime customers will tell you to come to El Indio for traditional Mexican food that will satisfy any pallet.

For more information visit their website at: www.el-indio.com/