Taqueria Chihuahua, the little “taco stand” that I initially feared because of its name but grew to love for its $2 crispy tacos, is closing its doors after 30 years in the same Santa Monica location. With only a “Dear John” letter posted on its walls saying that the family who owns the joint sold it and has now been asked to leave by the new owners, many patrons are left wondering what the real story is.

Did the City of Santa Monica kick out this little family-owned restaurant, formerly called “Lucy’s,” cuz it didn’t jibe with the direction the city wanted to go? Did the land just get too expensive to own? Or did the Banda Family get offered a ton of money and will now be happily living it up elsewheres?

Who knows? The only thing I do know is that you now have until the end of May to partake of perhaps the cheapest authentic Mexican fare you can get in the land of Santa Monica.

I sure will miss having them as my lunchtime spot…the 1970s-style lunchroom, the Mexican soap opera playing on the telly, the groups of mechanics and businessmen, and the crispy beef tacos. Sigh.

The good news? Its new location is in my hood, home of many cheap taco joints. Ha!

Before:
1922 Olympic Boulevard
Santa Monica, California 90404

After:
12034 Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90066