The first El Ranchito
Margarita's family recipes and Salvador's idea for a restaurant brought the family together in Huntington Park. They opened with five picnic tables, and everyone helped build what came next.
Santa Ana, Served Bold
Bold Plates. Authentic Flavors. Real Mexican food.
Family recipes since 1966. Serving Santa Ana since 1983 — still family owned, still cooked the way Mama Avila taught us.
An Avila family story.
A Santa Ana home.
Salvador and Margarita Avila opened the first El Ranchito in Huntington Park in 1966. In 1983, their son Victor brought the family tradition to First Street. Today, the Santa Ana restaurant is part of a story shared across generations.
Victor's Santa Ana chapter
Victor Avila built the Santa Ana restaurant in 1983. He and longtime general manager Karen Edwards are the people behind this First Street home, with its dining rooms, patio and space for family occasions.
A family tradition carried forward
Victor's children have made their own chapters in the family business: Marcus in Laguna Niguel and Orange, Michael in Laguna Beach, and Elyse Avila Smith in Seal Beach. Each connects the Avila name with a different community.
A place for the community
In 2023, Victor hosted Orange County Community Foundation's learning-series dinner here in Santa Ana, welcoming participants and local nonprofit leaders for a meal and conversation.
A little comfort.
A lot of flavor.
The soup you come back for. Something crispy. A plate worth settling in for.
Handmade Tortillas
Find your favorite ↗
Mamá Avila's Soup
Chicken and rice soup with avocado, cilantro, onions and tomatoes. Served with your choice of warm tortillas.
See the menu ↗
Make it a taco day
Explore our tacos, from crispy favorites to grilled specialties, with choices and sides listed on the menu.
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Come hungry
Explore the traditional dishes, seafood and combinations. Find the plate that sounds like you.
See the menu ↗
From our kitchen to your partyGood food.
Good food.
Great gatherings.
Something for the family, something for the whole crowd. Take Avila's to your next get-together with party trays, family packs and party packs.
See the food & pricing ↗
Celebrations at Avila'sYour people.
Your people.
Your occasion.
The big birthday. The new baby. The friends you haven't seen in too long. Let's get everyone together.
Birthdays · Family gatherings · Special occasions
Explore celebrations ↗See the spaces, explore the food and send your details to the team.
From the Avila familyAround the
Around the
Avila table.
Good food, a little laughter, and your favorite people.
Photos from our San Clemente family · @avilas.san.clemente ↗ (opens in a new window)
Make yourself
at home.
2201 E. 1st Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
- Sunday–Thursday
- 11 AM–9 PM
- Friday–Saturday
- 11 AM–10 PM