Assemblyman Chris Holden this week honored Mijares Mexican Restaurant as “Small Business of the Year” for the 41st Assembly District at a ceremony in Sacramento.
Mijares co-owners R-lene de Lang, Tina Jimenez and Tom Recendez accepted the recognition during the annual Small Business of the Year luncheon organized by the California Small Business Association. Mijares recently celebrated their 100th anniversary.
“Mijares Mexican Restaurant is a Pasadena treasure,” said Assemblyman Chris Holden. “Family owned and spanning three generations with immigrant roots, Mijares is the epitome of a small business and the American dream.”
Mijares Mexican Restaurant is the oldest Mexican restaurant in Pasadena. It is an institution and a landmark known for its authentic regional and traditional cuisine, famous margaritas and festive multi-patio dining.
Original owner, Jesucita Mijares, fled the Mexican revolution and settled in Pasadena from Los Altos de Jalisco where she founded the restaurant in 1920. After settling in Pasadena, she first opened a small tortilla factory. It quickly became known for its tiny restaurant featuring Jesucita’s original recipes, tortillas, tamales and sauces made with her unique stone grinder carried from Mexico.
Ownership and management of the restaurant have been passed down through the generations and is currently shared between R-lene de Lang, Tina Jimenez, Tom Recendez and their mother Alice Mijares Recendez.
Mijares has been voted “Best Margarita,” “Best Mexican Food,” and “Best Sunday Brunch,” by the readers of Pasadena Weekly magazine. Mijares remains a family tradition under the care of the Mijares family. This legacy is a tribute to Jesucita Mijares, who passed away in early 1988. Always the gracious hostess, Jesucita’s motto remains “Mi casa es su casa.”
