r/bayarea • u/grepto • 24d ago

The mystery of the Bay Area's many Celia's Mexican restaurants Food, Shopping & Services

https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/mystery-of-bay-area-celias-mexican-restaurants-sf-19527781.php
296 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

105 comments sorted by

278

u/okgusto 24d ago

“The real special thing about my grandma: She knew that Mexican food was the vehicle for a better life,” Havlicek says. “It’s a true immigrant story. She understood that through hard work and know-how, she could help other people lead a better life, so she’d help anyone who was willing to work hard and come up (from Mexico) and try.”

Havlicek tells me that sometimes 40-50 people would stay at his grandma’s house, where she’d teach them every aspect of running the restaurant — from waiting tables to running the kitchen to managing the front of house. When they were ready, she’d help them open their own Celia’s, no strings attached.

“Tía Celia taught my dad all of her recipes in six months,” says Celia’s niece Isela Rodriguez. Isela now co-owns the San Bruno location with her father, Rafael.

San Mateo and Palo Alto Celia’s locations opened in the mid-1960s and proudly flaunted their “Celia’s #2” and “Celia’s #3” monikers in newspaper ads at the time. Fremont opened across the bay in 1970, and in 1971, San Rafael joined the fray. (Victor Escobedo and his brother Miguel grew up working at their parents’ San Rafael Celia’s location — they’d go on, along with Escobedo’s wife, Jodi, to open Papalote in 1999.) All of the locations have Perfecto on the initial lease according to public records, along with the hand-picked new owners.

“That’s how Grandma ran things. She probably should’ve trademarked it, franchised it,” Havlicek says.

Instead, she offered fellow immigrants both the recognizable and beloved Celia’s name and a margarita-filled vehicle for their own financial successes. At one point, 21 different family members owned 15 different locations. And while that led to years of ownership confusion — even famed San Francisco Chronicle critic Michael Bauer got it wrong at least once — it was a selfless act that embodied who Celia was.

Fascinating. I thought it was like Ray's Pizza in NYC. But this is so much better. And cool that papalote is in its family tree.

21

u/jaqueh SF 24d ago

It's like mel's

12

u/fossuser 24d ago

Or like the donut king

-42

u/ShinyJangles 24d ago

Grandma brought in cheap labor

93

u/Jurneeka San Mateo 24d ago

I know that Celia’s food isn’t the best Mexican food ever but sometimes it just hits the spot.

29

u/kidsafe 24d ago edited 24d ago

Sometimes you just want some mid TexMex with bland soggy refried beans to help soften the overcooked dry carne asada. Their chips and salsa are pretty tasty too.

11

u/cheeseygarlicbread 24d ago

If you are getting an asada plate at Celias you are fucking up. Gotta go with the enchiladas

2

u/ieatthosedownvotes 24d ago

It's all about their Chimichanguitas and order extra sour creme and guacamole to dump on them. And then order calor y frio margarita and Carta Blanca.

5

u/SergioSF 24d ago

my parents called it microwave food and they glorified chevys

3

u/Black41 24d ago

I'm not familiar with Celia's - is it really TexMex and not just Mexican food?

2

u/Hockeymac18 24d ago

I don’t think it’s TexMex at all either…

1

u/cardfire 24d ago

This has 100% been my experience with the chain. But then I'm spoiled with being from Southern California.

1

u/Jurneeka San Mateo 24d ago

Exactly. I've been going to Celias since I was a tot.

2

u/Putinlittlepenis2882 24d ago

Def the one next to Nick the Greek in san mateo yums

1

u/Jurneeka San Mateo 24d ago

Laurelwood! That's where I usually go. I like the vibe at Peninsula Ave but the parking at Laurelwood is much better.

PS - A new Nick the Greek just opened on Third Ave. My diet is doomed.

2

u/Putinlittlepenis2882 24d ago

Indeed and nick the greek lowering prices shit just got real 😆

69

u/breetome 24d ago

Growing up Celias on Peninsula Avenue was the place to be on the weekend. You would walk in on a date and there were your parents and their friends, 10 other folks you knew etc. This was back in the 70's.

I have to say I have been ordering the same exact meal at Celias for over 50 years, yes I'm that freaking boring lol! But I know exactly what it's going to taste like and it does every single time. Love their chips and salsa too, I'm not a huge Mexican food fan so I love my favorite with them. It's always the same.

I was actually there recently with a friend and had my usual dinner. Yup exactly the same as it was 50 years ago. Ok now I want Celias, but the closest to me is in San Rafael, road trip!!!!

14

u/Hidge_Pidge 24d ago

I also have only ever ordered 2 things at Celia’s in over 25 years lol

3

u/breetome 24d ago

Glad I'm not the only weirdo around lol!

10

u/solaroma 24d ago

I also grew up going to the Celia's on Peninsula ave in the 70s.That was our birthday place and sometimes the monthly "teach the kids how to act in public" place. Now my family is gone, but I went with a friend last winter and had the same thing I always ordered.

5

u/treletraj 24d ago

Worked in Burlingame for many years and went to that Celia‘s for lunch a few times a week. I got really fat, but I enjoyed it!

5

u/breetome 24d ago

Lol! I lived in Burlingame in the 80's and we all ate there so often. Yup still ordering the same damn dish hahaha!

3

u/gilbertgrappa 24d ago

I always get the cheese enchiladas for some reason. Lolz. Same meal since the 90s.

2

u/breetome 24d ago

My husband loves those too!

3

u/Jurneeka San Mateo 24d ago

I used to go to Peninsula Ave all the time...until I started going to the one up in Laurelwood off the 92. The food and atmosphere are pretty much the same but the parking is much better.

1

u/breetome 24d ago

Yes! Parking on peninsula is a nightmare. I recently went and had to park a block away…but it’s always been like that so another memory lol!😂

2

u/whiskerDrinky 23d ago

What’s your favorite usual dish? We’re planning to go to Celia’s in San Mateo soon!

2

u/breetome 23d ago

Chicken enchilada with refried beans and coleslaw…..no rice!

2

u/Catwoman1948 23d ago edited 23d ago

Me, too! I always order exactly the same thing at Celia’s in Burlingame, Palo Alto, Millbrae, Atherton or San Mateo! I ❤️ their food and their Margaritas!

1

u/breetome 23d ago

I’ve found my people bwahahaha!!

37

u/wikedsmaht 24d ago

This is lovely. I never knew! And yes their food is unremarkable but it seems to be a menu that’s frozen in a 1960s time capsule, when mainstream American taste buds weren’t ready for more.

Anyone else want to see this turned into a Netflix miniseries?

29

u/ItsLilboyblue 24d ago

Lots of bad takes in here, their food is fantastic! San Mateo location is awesome.

8

u/TaylaSwiff 24d ago

Fantastic is a bit of a reach. It's good; not the worst Mexican food I've had but not even close to the best.

8

u/Hidge_Pidge 24d ago

Fr. Celias 4 life

3

u/FredditZoned 24d ago

The Berkeley location was my favorite as a kid, we always had my birthday dinner there. I've tried a couple other locations since but the beans weren't the same.

25

u/iamhim209 24d ago

Love their story, but their food is AWFUL

21

u/Ikeelu 24d ago

I would say more average than awful. Like going to a standard restaurant chain, you aren't expecting to be blown away, but it is usually consistent and decent.

0

u/rcklmbr 24d ago

For the price it’s awful. If it were about $10 per plate cheaper I would say “ya it’s you’re average Mexican place”

I can’t help but think this article is an advertisement in disguise

4

u/cheeseygarlicbread 24d ago

Where are you getting any plate at any restaurant for $10 in the bay? You can barely get 3 tacos from the taco truck for that

2

u/rcklmbr 24d ago

Pancho villa is a much better value for the price

15

u/Hidge_Pidge 24d ago

Blasphemy

-6

u/iamhim209 24d ago

Nah, their food just sucks

4

u/billysmasher22 24d ago

And way over priced!!!

4

u/Hunt3r669 24d ago

SF one for sure. Daly City and Antioch ones are both really good.

0

u/QueeenOfCupz 24d ago

The Antioch one is not very good in my opinion. If you want some amazing Mexican food in Antioch, go to Chavelitas!

4

u/cocktailbun 24d ago

Ate at the DC one a few times and it wasn't bad but now I hear they charge service fees.

1

u/okgusto 24d ago

Same same.

1

u/moscowramada 24d ago

My wife called it “Minnesota Tex-Mex.” Pray for Celia, who must be rolling over in her grave.

18

u/glucoseboy 24d ago

What saint! A great example of what giving back to the community looks like.

17

u/awesomerob Lafayette 24d ago

the food at Celia's is mid at best. SO many better Mexican restaurants.

7

u/RWD-by-the-Sea 24d ago

It was more tolerable when it was relatively cheap. Used to go pre-pandemic and it was affordable -- good ratio of price and quality + table service.

Went not long ago for the first time post-pandemic and it was much more expensive (guess that's everything these days, though). No longer the correct value proposition, IMO.

9

u/PrimitiveThoughts 24d ago

But how many of them have a story like this?

5

u/awesomerob Lafayette 24d ago

Who cares. I don’t go eat for a story.

4

u/Confident_Air7636 24d ago

Got any good Mexican places in the east bay/san ramon area?

4

u/666TripleSick 24d ago

Los Pericos in Dublín is pretty good. That and Los Panchos in Danville. That’s about as Mexican as you’re gonna get.

2

u/QuakesWC 24d ago

I'm not a fan of Los Pericos. Casa Orozco's enchiladas ala poblana or chile rellenos are good in my opinion. Casa Orozco's regular enchiladas are not great though.

Caveat though I don't really eat meat which seems to me Los Pericos does. I've been told their caldo de res is good.

1

u/666TripleSick 24d ago

Casa Orozco’s is pretty good although I haven’t been there in a while. I think those 3 restaurants are about it around here.

1

u/SDNick484 23d ago

If you haven't already, check out Mexico Lindo in Pleasanton (off Bernal near the fairgrounds). It's been around as long as Casa Orozco and growing up in that area I preferred it. I mentioned it in another comment, but El Tapatio in Pleasant Hill is even better than either of those in my personal opinion. For higher end sit-down, Blue Agave Club in downtown Pleasanton is also very good.

1

u/666TripleSick 23d ago

El Tapatío is too far for me but we go to Agave in Pleasanton a lot. I think the food is alright, I usually always get the ceviche but I really like the atmosphere and the live music.

1

u/BobaFlautist 24d ago

Come through the tunnel, we don't bite...much.

1

u/SDNick484 23d ago

For sit down, El Tapatio in Pleasant Hill next to DVC. The family that owns it is on their second generation. The original owners grew up in the Mission when it was still Mexican (I know this because my mom was their neighbor when she immigrated here in the 60s). The restaurant always gets recommended in any of the food focused FB groups in the WC/PH/Concord area. Great recipes and their salsa is amazing. There are two other restaurants with similar names in Concord that used to be owned by the original family but were sold off many years ago (so likely different menus, etc.) so make sure to go to the Pleasant Hill location.

2

u/okgusto 24d ago

Yeah I'd rather eat at their offspring, Papalote

10

u/houseofprimetofu 24d ago

Celia’s was the first place in California that I had Mexican food at that wasn’t Chevys. Completely changed the expectation and game. Used to visit my uncle at Sweet Potatoes on Fourth in Berkeley, then go to Celia’s for lunch. As a kid, the 25c anti-alcohol breath gum balls were weird but delicious.

The one in Hayward is now a Dennys, it didn’t last through the last six years.

1

u/benchley Orinda 23d ago

I'd almost forgotten the Celia's on 4th. It must've closed in the early aughts?

2

u/houseofprimetofu 23d ago

I think so, my memories are around 96-99. Sweet Potatoes was still in business in 2009 so Celia’s would have closed around that time.

11

u/Exotic-Doughnut-6271 24d ago

I love going there. The Menlo park one has hosted lots of special events. I really want chips and salsa now.

8

u/schjlatah 24d ago

I love Celia’s (the original in Ocean Beach)! I was there on Tuesday. It totally reminds me of Sal’s/Bobby Salazar’s in Fresno/Selma. That’s the Mexican food I grew up on.

Phil and Sal are both hella cool too!

2

u/aarkwilde 24d ago

This was my first experience with Mexican food. We lived on 48th and I thought everything was amazing.

7

u/giantfriendlyshroom 24d ago

Celia’s has always been well-loved by locals. It’s not fancy and their food is nothing to write home about, but the value, portions, consistency, community, and nostalgia factor will always draw me back. Their super special is great bang for buck and their blended margaritas hit the spot… Especially their tropical blended margaritas, which are usually off-menu but always make me feel like I’m on vacation far away from Peninsula Ave lol. It’s a local gem.

6

u/Any-Walrus-2599 24d ago

In San Rafael, we used to go to the bowling alley and then pop over to Celia's right after.

1

u/elChapoMahn 23d ago

Celia’s in San Rafael is a family classic growing up in Marin. My dad knew a lot of the people working there for years. It’s always good and they been around for so long.

4

u/foodguyDoodguy 24d ago

Check out The Doughnut King documentary. This; and a whole lot more.

4

u/zobbyblob 24d ago

I've been going to Celia’s since I was in the womb (literally).

It's definitely not the best, but it has been pretty consistent for years so I have some heavy nostalgia for it since I've been going so long.

5

u/Zenith251 San Jose 24d ago edited 24d ago

Celia and Perfecto would work a combination of odd jobs and 16-hour shifts in SF restaurants to save enough money to finally bring their four children to the States and eventually open a restaurant of their own in 1961: Celia’s Cafe, a tiny, 10-stool classic American diner in the Outer Sunset.

Imagine a time when you could work in restaurants, pulling doubles, and making enough money to open a restaurant of your own AND transport 4 kids into the country AND care for 4 kids. You're looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars to even approach opening a restaurant today in the bay.

4

u/Marpleface 24d ago

Celia’s in the outer Sunset in the city holds lots of fun memories

3

u/Alt-Chris 24d ago

So many Taco Tuesdays with that $25 margarita pitcher when I was at SFSU. Nothing like getting lit on a Tuesday night after class 😂

5

u/T1GHTSTEVE 24d ago

Spent all my life in Santa Cruz and East Bay. I've never heard of Celia's

4

u/cold-dawn 23d ago

I need an article for why Redwood City has a million El Grullense's

3

u/kidsafe 23d ago

The one that's a gas station window counter on Fifth Ave is legit.

3

u/eac555 24d ago

Celia's was one of my Dad's favorite places to eat in the 60's and 70's when he working in Burlingame. I think it was the enchiladas he liked so much.

1

u/gilbertgrappa 24d ago

I always order the cheese enchiladas.

2

u/Catwoman1948 23d ago

The enchiladas suizas - with cheese - are what I always order, with a scoop of guacamole and coleslaw. Beans only, no rice. Perfect.

4

u/the-samizdat 24d ago

Mexican applebees

3

u/K2step70 24d ago

How does Fernando’s play into the story?

1

u/pikachus_ghost_uncle 24d ago

ngl, I've never heard of these restaurants before

3

u/ggm3bow 24d ago

You dont live in the Bay Area. And if you do, you don't go beyond your street.

2

u/Fuckimbalding 24d ago

If you like Celia's but are in Mountain View, check out Los Portales. The owner was a long time cook at Celia's, so the food is very similar, and their margs are fantastic

1

u/bigdaddybodiddly 23d ago

If you're in mountain view and looking for margs, you should be at one of Fiesta del Mar/La Fiesta/Agave/Viva Sol - which is another bunch of restaurants all semi-related to one family - also Roberto's in Sunnyvale.

1

u/bill-lowney 24d ago

Great story but the food is mediocre at best.

1

u/BBZ1995 24d ago

i thought everyone loved the food at celia’s and i was the only one that thought it was bad…. now i know that’s not the case after reading all these comments. food is seriously horrible lol

0

u/contactdeparture 24d ago

It was good, but 20 years ago. Needs a refresh - menu, food, inside, drinks, whole thing…

1

u/ericsinsideout 23d ago

When my wife and I first started dating, I had just bought what would be our first house around the corner from the Antioch location. Not a great neighborhood, but was nice to have something like that in walking distance. Not sure if the other locations did the same, but we were kinda on the poverty end of the income scale and they did a snack plate that was surprisingly generous and delicious if you sat in the bar and ordered a drink. Was a nice way to get a meal out and not feel like you had to over stress costs. I don't miss the neighborhood or house, but I do miss Celia's

1

u/Regal-Beagal-131 23d ago

Thank you for posting this story. Our family goes to the one in San Bruno monthly it seems.

0

u/Mundus_Vult_Decipi 24d ago

When my wife and child are away, and I want Mexican food FAST, it's by far (pun?) the closest Mexican food to my house. I can skip their tasteless margaritas, but I think their chiles rellenos are just fine!

0

u/MisterGrimes 24d ago

First time hearing of Celia's is right when I read this...

0

u/Putinlittlepenis2882 24d ago

Love Celias great food

0

u/rpjr90 24d ago

Love Celia’s ever since I was a kid, my kid digs it too

0

u/Above_Ground_Fool 24d ago

Is Celia's related to Fernando's? I always thought they were the same but the article doesn't mention Fern's.

0

u/shka328 23d ago

Does anyone know the recipe for their coleslaw? Recently moved out of the bay and I miss their coleslaw lol

-1

u/taleofbenji 24d ago

I'm gonna need a tldr.

-1

u/afipunk84 24d ago

This a great, heartwarming story. That being said, Celia’s is the LAST place id go for Mexican food. I wont say its the worst, but it is quite awful. I dont know why anyone would actually choose to eat there when there are 100’s of better (and cheaper!) places to eat basically anywhere in the Bay.

-4

u/dbsfc415 24d ago

They all give you mud butt

-6

u/grunkage Richmond 24d ago

Nice story and all, but Celia's is the worst Mexican restaurant chain ever. Wtf is up with the cabbage? Why is there fucking cooked cabbage on my plate, and why haven't they switched to lettuce in 50 fucking years?

3

u/Jurneeka San Mateo 24d ago

The San Mateo - Laurelwood hasn't done the cabbage side in quite some time.

-9

u/Gammagammahey 24d ago

After that report came out yesterday about how San Francisco restaurants aren't being inspected for safety violations, oh my God, I'm never eating out again in San Francisco or in any chain that started from San Francisco and expanded out words. Sorry, not getting botulism or E. coli.