Ruben and Bashie “Momma” Pulido, owners of Casa Pulido, announced they are retiring and closing the beloved Mexican restaurant December 20.
A staple in Riviera Village since 1969, its red tuft booths, dark interior, and black velvet paintings of mighty matadors in the heat of bullfighting, harken back to a bygone era that’s fading in South Redondo.
“I worked in restaurants all through college,” said Ruben Pulido. “My wife and I would patronize a restaurant that’s across the street from the current Casa Pulido, so I bought it.”
Ruben’s story fits that classic South Bay success story. He was a part of the burgeoning aerospace industry in the 1960s, working for Xerox when he started started Casa Pulido.
“I worked as the cook and Momma was the waitress,” he said, laughing at the memory. “She had to learn fast, as it was her first time as waitress.”
Casa Pulido took off and Ruben quit Xerox to focus on the restaruant. After ten years, the Pulidos moved the restaurant to its current location on Avenue I.
“A lot of the locals from the beginning take pride in calling themselves the ‘brown bag crew” said Lisa Pulido Garcia, daughter and manager. “Before our liquor license, we’d allow people to bring in six packs.”
She also pointed out that a lot of locals like to say they brought in their own margaritas but that’s just “their imaginations.”
“We love our customers,” Lisa said. “We’ve gained lifetime friends who have celebrated all times and moments in life in our restaurant.”
“One of our customers is making sure her daughter will be flown in one day after finals on our last day,” she said. “It’s very special because it was we are first restaurant their daughter was in — she was four days old.”
As expected, Casa Pulido’s last hurrah will be a local event with people from all over getting their last bite of the restaurant’s made-from-scratch chile relleno.
“Casa means home,” said Momma. “We’ve been blessed with a loyal community that makes Casa Pulido home.” ER
