San Bernardino in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mitla Café

Route 66 Roadside Attraction

— San Bernardino, California —

Mitla Café Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 14, 2022

1. Mitla Café Marker

Inscription. Established in 1937, this family-owned restaurant has brought history and tradition to San Bernardino's west side for more than 60 years.
Recognized by Hampton Hotels Save-A-Landmark program as a site worth seeing

Erected 2003 by Hampton Hotels Save-a-Landmark program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Route 66 Roadside Attractions, and the U.S. Route 66 series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 34° 6.623′ N, 117° 18.838′ W. Marker is in San Bernardino, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on North Mount Vernon Avenue (Old U.S. 66) north of West 6th Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in front of the restaurant. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 602 N Mt Vernon Ave, San Bernardino CA 92411, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: War Memorial (about 400 feet away); San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot (approx. half a mile away); California Theater (approx. 1.1 miles away); United States Post Office (approx. 1.3 miles away); To Jedediah Smith (approx. 1.4 miles away);

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60th Anniversary of the CCC (approx. 1½ miles away); Site of Mormon Stockade (approx. 1½ miles away); The Grimace (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Bernardino.

Other markers no longer nearby. La Plaza Park, San Bernardino, California (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Arrowhead Plaza (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); The Council House (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been permanently removed); Charles C Rich, Amasa M Lyman (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Settlement of San Bernardino (was approx. 1½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Mitla Cafe (official website). The restaurant is one of the most popular Mexican restaurants on Route 66, and it is currently fourth-generation owned. It was originally started by Lucia Rodriguez and Vicente Montano. (Submitted on August 22, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

2. Tradition and tacos at the Mitla Cafe (video). A short news segment from CBS Sunday Morning's YouTube

Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 14, 2022

2. Mitla Café Marker

channel (it aired 11/21/2021 on CBS) did a piece on Mitla Cafe and interviewed the owners. The restaurant is said to have inspired Glen Bell, who would found the Taco Bell fast food chain. Bell originally had a hot dog stand across from the cafe, and noticed that tacos were becoming a very popular item and the Mitla Cafe chefs showed Bell how to make them. (Glen Bell later mentored the founders of Del Taco, Der Wienerschnitzel, Naugles, and Baker’s.) (Submitted on August 22, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Mitla Café and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 14, 2022

3. Mitla Café and Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker

4. Mitla Café

Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 591 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 7, 2023. 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 4. submitted on January 31, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.