Villa’s Tacos opened its third location, Villa’s Tacos #3, in Highland Park March 23. Victor Villa, the founder and owner of the Villa’s Tacos restaurants, said the process of opening their third brick-and-mortar location took around six months.
“It was probably the biggest turnout that we’ve had for an opening day as of yet,” Villa said.
According to Villa, more than 700 people attended their opening.
“The whole community came out — old customers, new customers and people who are die hard Villa’s Tacos fanatics,” Villa said. “We’re always there for our community, but it was a blessing to see our community really there for us.”
Villa said the location for the new fish and seafood branch of Villa’s Tacos was once home to La Estrella Tacos, and before that, a Chinese restaurant.
“This was one of, if not the most, historic restaurants in Highland Park, and my family has been in Highland Park for over 40 years now,” Villa said. “It was a restaurant that definitely held a special place in my heart, and now it has Villa’s Tacos on their sign.”
Leonard Gonzalez will be the manager of the new location. He said this opening is happening two years after the opening of Villa’s Tacos first brick-and-mortar restaurant.
“[Villa is] my brother-in-law, and I’ve been working with him for probably about two years now,” Gonzalez said. “I used to work with him back at his grandma’s house when he first opened up in the yard.”
Carlos Estrada has been working with Villa’s Tacos for the past year. According to Estrada, he assisted with the opening and spends most of his time at the other Villa’s Tacos Highland Park location.
“It’s been a lot of work, a lot of recipes and a lot of trying to promote it and get it done,” Estrada said.
Joey Ramirez is a resident of Highland Park and a long time Villa’s Tacos customer. He visited the fish and seafood restaurant for the first time March 27.
“Villa’s [Taco’s] is amazing,” Ramirez said. “The food quality is good and the flavor is excellent.”
Ramirez said he purchased two of everything on the menu but that he is loyal to Villa’s Tacos for more than the food.
“Everybody is so friendly, it’s great,” Ramirez said. “I’m so excited to see where it goes and try these new tacos and the new menu.”
Jenny Loy and Jamie Park are two customers who have been coming to Villa’s Tacos since its original opening.
“Their grandfather is actually my neighbor,” Loy said. “I’ve been with them since infancy, the very beginning when they had that line wrapped around their Avenue 50 house. So I feel like I’ve been with them on this journey.”
Long time customer of Villa’s Tacos David Lopez said he is impressed by Villa’s Michelin Bib Gourmand and appreciates its affordable pricing.
“I’m most excited that [Villa’s Tacos #3] has seafood,” Lopez said. “I’m not usually a big fan of seafood, but I know that they are going to do it right.”
According to Villa, his long-time customers include a handful of Occidental students and alumni.
“I’m very thankful, grateful and super overwhelmed by all the support that we receive from many schools in the area, but specifically Occidental,” Villa said. “Occidental is a huge one in that they never cease to show their support.”
Villa’s Tacos has catered several Occidental events, including POC Formal and the President’s office’s ‘Tacos with Tom’ event. According to Gonzalez, he has worked several catering events, although not one at Occidental.
For a catered event, Gonzalez said they bring all of their sauces, meats, vegan and vegetarian options and build their set up the same way they would at the restaurant.
“We have our tortilla lady. We have our meat guy. We set up the whole line,” Gonzalez said.
The new restaurant is decorated with a Dodgers mural and a neighborhood mural, which Villa said were painted by Jonas Never and Sloe 88, respectively. According to Villa, the neon sign was also done by a local LA artist.
“We also have some Mexican mosaic hand-painted tile right under where you where you order your food,” Villa said. “I want the restaurant to be as nice as possible, and I love art. I collect art, and I think my restaurant is a canvas — is a restaurant made of canvas.”
Villa said he is incredibly excited to bring the seafood-focused menu to Highland Park.
“If I was going to introduce something new and do something new and exciting, it wouldn’t be a community other than Highland Park where I would want that to be done,” Villa said. “So I got the opportunity to do that at this historic restaurant, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.”
Contact Abigail Montopoli at montopoli@oxy.edu
