Tio's Tacos

Not to be confused with Tito's Tacos.

Tio's Tacos
Tio's Tacos is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Tio's Tacos
Location within the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Tio's Tacos is located in California
Tio's Tacos
Tio's Tacos (California)
Tio's Tacos is located in the United States
Tio's Tacos
Tio's Tacos (the United States)
Restaurant information
Established1990
Owner(s)Estefany "Stephanie" Sanchez
Kimberly Sanchez
Food typeMexican
Street address3948 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501
Coordinates33°59′03″N 117°22′37″W / 33.9841°N 117.3769°W / 33.9841; -117.3769
Websitewww.tiostacos1.com

Tio's Tacos is a Mexican restaurant in Riverside, California. It is known for its many instances of folk art made from discarded items around its grounds.

History

The restaurant was founded in 1990 by Martín Sanchez, who moved from Sahuayo in Michoacán to California in 1984, and his wife Conception. It is currently run by two of their daughters, Estefany and Kimberly. He originally sold oranges on the street and saw many people throw out still usable items. Sanchez saw this and thought he could repair them as he had come from a place with much poverty.[1][2][3] He started creating his art in 1995. In 2000, the city approved Sanchez's purchase of a lot that was to be used for both commercial and residential use, functioning as a new location for the restaurant and the family's home. The first major project, two large figures near the front, was created in 2005, with the help of Sanchez's "right-hand man", Ignacio "Nacho" Martinez.[4][5] During the COVID-19 pandemic the interior of the restaurant was closed, but it still served food, seating customers at the patio areas.[6]

The restaurant serves tacos, chile rellenos, mole enchiladas, burritos, sopes, flautas, carne asada, fajitas, tostadas, taco salad, chicken nuggets, quesadillas, french fries, rice and beans, nachos, and tortas.[7] One of the most popular menu items is a fried tilapia, topped with a signature garlic and lemon sauce.[6]

Artworks

An example of an art piece at the restaurant

Most of the space available was used to display the art. Many old items used by the Sanchez family in their daily lives were incorporated into the displays, such as a bicycle in cement. One of the larger works is a chapel that is composed almost only of empty beer bottles.[3][8][9] Inside, there is a painted ceiling similar to the Sistine Chapel and multicolored pews.[6] City officials originally considered the art to be trash and an eyesore, and had to spend three years in court against the city.[4]

References

  1. ^ Ngo, Audrey (February 6, 2019). "Tio's Tacos In Riverside Hides A Vast Outdoor Sculpture Museum". LAist. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  2. ^ Meyer, Norma; U-T, Special to the (February 1, 2013). "Tio's Tacos masters the art of recycling". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Burch, Wendy (July 16, 2020). "Destination California: Riverside". KTLA. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Mirandé, Mano. ""El Tio de Riverside": The Artistic Universe of Martín Sanchez". Riversider Magazine. pp. 28–33. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  5. ^ Parzanese, Joe. "Tio's Tacos". Weird California. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Boman, Sanna (April 16, 2021). "Eclectic folk art, a beer bottle chapel, and enchiladas with a twist at Tio's Tacos". Roadtrippers. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  7. ^ "Official website". Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  8. ^ "The Quirkiest Restaurant In Southern California That's Impossible Not To Love". OnlyInYourState. November 16, 2022. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  9. ^ "Tio's Tacos in Riverside: Eclectic Art & Great Mexican Food". California Through My Lens. May 23, 2012. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.