Keeping It in the Familia

Away from the frenzied hustle and bustle of Old Town, along Rosemead Boulevard and just a few minutes off the Foothill Freeway, lies a bright and colorful building that houses a Mexican restaurant where you will find some of the most authentic Mexican food served in a laid-back, rustic, and colorful ambience: Margaritas.

“Because of the drink.” Margaritas President Ruby Bugarin answers directly when asked about the name of their establishment. “My dad said a customer recommended that, and he thought ‘Yeah! That sounds good, why not?’ It’s not because of a woman’s name like I thought for a while,” she says with a laugh.

And a fitting name it is, what with their margaritas living up to the expectations of a flagship drink.

“We have great margaritas,” said Ruby. “Our margaritas don’t come from a bar gun – they’re handmade.”

But don’t think for a second that margaritas are the only thing they make special, as every dish and drink offered at Margaritas is oozing with a homey charm that only an authentic Mexican restaurant can provide.

“It’s simple comfort food – we have your typical dishes, enchiladas, burritos, tacos – then we also have more specialties like our steak picado or chicken chipotle. So we run the gamut from something simple to something more complicated in taste,” said Ruby of Margaritas’ offerings.

True enough, the menu is packed with authentic Mexican comfort food – from light salads and appetizers, to hearty tostadas, fajitas, and house specials, Margaritas definitely has something to satiate your craving for Mexican food.

Coming from central Mexico as the eldest children in their families and rich in agricultural backgrounds, both Ruby’s parents founded Margaritas in 1977 and contributed to Margaritas’ recipes.

“My dad came here when he was 14-15 years old – very young, worked as a dishwasher in many restaurants,” Ruby says.

Ruby’s mom on the other hand, learned to cook from her mom as well as the nuns in school convents. “From a very young age – from 8 years old and up – my mom would cook for many, many people because on the ranches they would have to cook for the hands. She would hand-make the tortillas, and everything everyday, so she was used to it when she came here to cook for a large crowd.”

“They really worked hard,” said Ruby of how her parents ran the place before she and Rolando took the reins. “They made it possible for me to have a more balanced life. I really thank them everyday. Because of their hard work early on, I don’t have to stay here from dawn to dusk. I can take care of my kids, and come here, so I really want to pay tribute to my parents.”

Which is probably why the place itself is so rich in that family vibe. Patrons of the restaurant come knowing they’ll be treated as family, giving customers a home away from home where good food and good company is the norm.

“Regulars here, they know they’ll get taken care of. Once they walk through the door, people will know their order, especially if they order the same thing,” said Ruby of their frequent customers.

Ruby and her brother Rolando Bugarin now run Margaritas, keeping the place true to the family’s vision and ideals as it was first opened.

“He’s the ideas kind of guy,” says Ruby of her brother Rolando. “He’ll come up with new drinks, food specials, so he’s a creative guy that way. I’m more of the day-to-day operations – making sure the bills are paid, talking with everyone else about it.”

Both Ruby and Rolando, as you would imagine, are very involved in Margaritas. Unafraid to get their hands dirty, the siblings are a testament to the hard work their parents put into the place, as Margaritas today stands as one of the best Mexican restaurants this side of Pasadena.

When asked of what other things Margaritas has in store for the future, Ruby talked of further expansion and development amidst the establishment’s current success.

“I am thinking of growth in areas like catering, getting our food out into people’s homes… I’m thinking obviously of getting more people in the door… I’m thinking of maybe expanding our menu and offering more specials. I can’t eat the same thing everyday – and some people can, people’s tastes are different – so maybe cater to those people who like a little variety.”

Like a true entrepreneur, Ruby mentioned how the restaurant has no intentions of altering their recipes, especially as much of their success is owed to the delicious concoctions passed on by their parents.

Margaritas can be found at 155 S. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena.

For bookings and inquiries, contact Margaritas at (626) 449-4193. To learn more about the restaurant or to check out their menu, visit their website today at http://www.margaritasmexicanfood.com