Chef’s Special

Featuring Cocina Del Charro: It’s All About Family

Get Mini Shrimp Chimichanga RECIPE

 



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Live, Work & Play in Escondido

For the past 29 years an Escondido dining tradition has been serving some of North County’s best Mexican food off the beaten path. That restaurant, Cocina Del Charro, was once a 250 sq. foot restaurant that sat about 10 guests along with a huge tortilla factory. As it has grown in popularity, the restaurant has undergone changes to make room for more and more patrons.


In the mid-1980s the restaurant was no longer coupled with the tortilla factory, and the restaurant grew in size. In the early 1990’s beautiful private banquet rooms were added. Cocina Del Charro now has the capacity to seat up to 130 in their dining area plus 130-140 in their private banquet room. One nice feature of their banquet room is that it allows them to book two events at the same time with groups of 30-50 in each room due to a sliding divider. Whether it’s a big event or small get-together, Cocina Del Charro has become one of the best places in Escondido to hold any social event.


Cocina Del Charro’s success has been overseen by Jose and Norma Monforte since 1976, with Jose handling restaurant operations and Norma taking care of the accounting and finances. Their success led them to open another restaurant in Poway during the late 1980’s. Although that Poway restaurant is no longer in the Cocina Del Charro family, a new member of the Cocina Del Charro family has been added with the opening of our new San Marcos location in Old California Restaurant Row.


Before Cocina Del Charro, Jose had many experiences in the restaurant business. He was once in charge of a restaurant his parents owned in Tijuana, Baja California. Seeking better opportunities lead him to jobs with El Torito and Sheraton Hotels. Eventually his entrepreneurial spirit led him to Cocina Del Charro, which at that time was owned by Harry French. Jose saw potential in the restaurant and he took the business over when Harry retired.


Now there are more Monfortes involved in the business, making it a true family enterprise. The eldest, Story Jose, was once an IBM employee and is now helping out with project development and implementation such as redesign of the restaurant website. Luis Fernando is the General Manager of the Escondido location, and oversees operations there. Erik Monforte, the youngest, is now the Manager of the San Marcos Cocina Del Charro, mainly overseeing kitchen operations.


The menu at Cocina Del Charro has been pretty consistent through the years. That is, up until last year, when we introduced some new items, which have become big hits with our customers. Awesome appetizers include Shrimp Chimichangas with a sweet chili sauce and our popular yet traditional Quesadilla Jose. Classic dinner entrees include Carne Asada Del Charro, sizzling Fajitas, and succulent Carnitas. Exceptional and new entrees include the awesome Cancun Burrito, Surf & Turf (grilled tenderloin and sautéed shrimp), and Cilantro-Lime Mahi Mahi.


Along with tasty appetizers and entrees, Cocina Del Charro also has sinfully decadent desserts. Our homemade Flan with a shot of Kahlua is sure to warm your taste buds. Equally tantalizing is our Fried Ice Cream drizzled with chocolate and caramel sauce. A true treat are our new and flavorful Dessert Mini-Chimichangas. Filled with either raspberry or Dulce de Leche (caramel) and cheesecake filling, these desserts will warm you right up, and it comes served with a scoop of French vanilla ice cream.


Besides creating consistent and authentic Mexican food, Cocina Del Charro prides itself on personal relationships with customers. “We have a tremendous amount of loyal customers,” says Fernando Monforte. “Creating and maintaining those relationships is fundamental to our success. Customers come in to Cocina Del Charro and feel at home. I have customers tell me they knew me since I was a little brat, and now as I get older I can say the same for those customers who now have kids and I have seen them grow up.” It is truly a rewarding and exciting thing to be able to feel like part of an extended family. Come, experience Cocina Del Charro, and join the family.


The Escondido location of Cocina Del Charro is at 525 Quince Street. Telephone 760-745-1382; Fax 760-745-6701; or, visit www.cocinadelcharro.com  EM


Get Mini Shrimp Chimichanga RECIPE


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