Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 3, 2014

7

FOOD & DRINK

Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 3, 2014 

CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION REVIEW

Just this past week I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the most determined and dedicated 
restaurant owners that we have in Pasadena area, Blair Salisbury owner of the El Cholo Café. Though, 
his restaurant is well known, Blair still looks after his baby with the greatest of care.

Self described as “nuts and crazy,” Blair’s lineage is that of a restaurateur. The Borquez family launched 
the Sonora Cafe in 1923 in a small storefront on Broadway and Santa Barbara Ave. After a patron 
doodled a picture of a man and called him El Cholo 
(the name commonly known for a field hand at the 
time), Alejandro Borquez loved the picture of the 
man so much that he changed the name of Senora 
Café to El Cholo in 1925. The following year, 
George Salisbury meets Aurelia Borquez and they fall in love and decide to open their own El Cholo. 
Racing ahead to the year 2000, Blair, the grandson of George opens El Cholo Cafe in Pasadena, on 
Fair Oaks. For those of you old enough to remember, it was once the John Bull English Pub. I found 
out that Blair was determined to open in Pasadena, he was a moment away from Old Town Pasadena, 
but the Cheesecake Factory beat him to Colorado and Fair Oaks location. 

Blair still desired to move into the heart of Old Town and his hopes were realized with the opening of 
the restaurant at the Paseo. Blair said, “It feels as though it has been here all along. It just felt like the 
staff and surroundings didn’t miss a beat.” Truly Pasadena feels like home to El Cholo Café, and Blair 
wouldn’t have it any other way!!! 

The restaurant is 
expansive, with a 
patio that overlooks 
Colorado Blvd. and 
the snow capped San 
Gabriel Mountains. 
They offer two 
different bars, one 
as you walk in, akin 
to a service bar, and 
a great place to wait 
for a table and enjoy 
a “Killer” Margarita, 
and a back bar just 
next to the Patio. 
Offering large screen TV’s and perfect for slumbering and enjoying the show as they make your 
Guacamole tableside. 

The menu is full of different combinations, Blair believes that the more selections there are.... 
the better, and he tries to give a little bit of selection for everyone. I descended upon the PLATO 
DE CARNITAS, roasted pork, served with fresh avocado relish, Pico de Gallo, Nopales, rice and 
beans ($13.95). When I go to a Mexican Restaurant I always try the pork. It was stunningly tender 
and fresh, and may be the best that I have ever tasted. My dinner companion gave two thumbs up to 
the Shrimp Sizzling Fajitas ($16.95). I was just about stuffed when Blair brought out the Blue Corn 
Chicken Enchilada for us to try. It is item that made El Cholo famous. A must try for anyone eating 
at the restaurant. Of course I had a Margarita. A Single Margarita that seemed to have the power to 
bust a piñata. If you love Mexican Food like I do, or just want to spend a sleepy Sunday at the bar with 
guacamole and chips. Save a seat for me. El Cholo Paseo Pasadena

Join me this Saturday for our first craft beer tasting at the Vons on Colorado in Pasadena, 2355 E. 
Colorado Blvd. email me at thechefknows@yahoo.com tune in to Charter Channel 188 for Dining w/
Dills on Sunday 7 PM


TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com