WHY MEXICAN FOOD AND ELVIS?
Visitors to Azteca Restaurant & Lounge in Garden Grove continually ask, "Why was this Mexican restaurant decorated with Elvis Presley memorabilia?" They're right to wonder. It makes no obvious sense! But that charming disconnect helps make our place so special and unique. Even if you are not an Elvis fan, you will remember Azteca long after your visit! To help you understand the Azteca-Elvis connection, here’s a little history of just what happened:
Back in 1957, the "first" Azteca Mexican Restaurant was opened by Aunt Connie on Garden Grove Blvd. a short distance from here. But Connie's lifelong ambition was to own a restaurant on what is now Historic Main Street and she fulfilled that dream in 1980 when she moved Azteca to its present location. Aunt Connie had been an avid collector of antiques so the Azteca decor of old reflected that interest. Most importantly, she was a gifted cook who shared her love for authentic Mexican cuisine with Garden Grove until 1993 when she turned over the reins to her nephew, J.J. Jauregui.
Visitors to Azteca Restaurant & Lounge in Garden Grove continually ask, "Why was this Mexican restaurant decorated with Elvis Presley memorabilia?" They're right to wonder. It makes no obvious sense! But that charming disconnect helps make our place so special and unique. Even if you are not an Elvis fan, you will remember Azteca long after your visit! To help you understand the Azteca-Elvis connection, here’s a little history of just what happened:
Back in 1957, the "first" Azteca Mexican Restaurant was opened by Aunt Connie on Garden Grove Blvd. a short distance from here. But Connie's lifelong ambition was to own a restaurant on what is now Historic Main Street and she fulfilled that dream in 1980 when she moved Azteca to its present location. Aunt Connie had been an avid collector of antiques so the Azteca decor of old reflected that interest. Most importantly, she was a gifted cook who shared her love for authentic Mexican cuisine with Garden Grove until 1993 when she turned over the reins to her nephew, J.J. Jauregui.
As a child, J.J. became fascinated with Elvis while watching his parents' small black and white TV. He recalls the precise moment he became "hooked forever" on Elvis, when he heard Elvis sing 'Teddy Bear' in the movie 'Loving You'. So, shortly after taking over from Aunt Connie, J.J. purchased his favorite framed picture of "The King". According to J.J., "It was way too cool to be left at home, so I brought it to Azteca to show it off". That same picture - the one that would become the foundation for a whole new Azteca image - still hangs over Booth #1 in the bar today. Gradually J.J. acquired more and more Elvis commemoratives until they crept up the walls, spread across the ceilings and eventually covered every surface of the restaurant!
The "Elvis Restaurant" reputation has become part of Orange County lore and Azteca is regularly featured in news articles and spotlight reports. Huell Howser is shown here interviewing J.J. during the filming of one of Howser's "California's Gold" series for KCET-TV. Chris Burrous featured the Elvis Restaurant in one episode of Burrous' Bites on KTLA-Channel 5.
Fast forward to 2014 and Azteca is still more than a half-century-old centerpiece of Historic Main Street. But after years of running a busy restaurant himself, J.J. decided to retire. So he sold the restaurant business tto new owner Jennifer in 2014 and the building itself in 2022.
Fast forward to 2014 and Azteca is still more than a half-century-old centerpiece of Historic Main Street. But after years of running a busy restaurant himself, J.J. decided to retire. So he sold the restaurant business tto new owner Jennifer in 2014 and the building itself in 2022.
But wait! J.J.'s collection of Elvis treasures has not left the building! In fact, his Elvis posters and wall memorabilia remain on permanent loan to Azteca and will continue to entertain visitors to Azteca for many years to come.
As an added feature, Jennifer's professional background includes years as an artist and sculptor so you might discover some new musical additions to our wall decoration.
As an added feature, Jennifer's professional background includes years as an artist and sculptor so you might discover some new musical additions to our wall decoration.