LAMORINDA WEEKLY | El Charro in Lafayette closes its doors after 73 years


Loyal customers called the news of El Charro's imminent closure "devastating" as large numbers waited in line Dec. 30 for a final chance to enjoy the Mexican food. Photo Pippa Fisher

In an announcement on social media, Lafayette's long-established Mexican restaurant shared that it would be closing its doors for good.

Although rumors had swirled for several weeks, the owners of El Charro made the announcement via their Facebook page Dec. 29 saying, "It is with heavy hearts that we announce El Charro Mexican Dining, a Lafayette community staple of 70+ years, will be permanently closed beginning this Friday, January 1st, 2021."

Very quickly hundreds of comments appeared on the page; memories of happy times spent at the restaurant with many saying they remember eating there from childhood onward and that the news is "devastating."

Demand during the last two days for takeout was a clear indication of how much the place meant to locals, as people lined up around the block Dec. 30 for a final order of chips and El Charro's special blue cheese garlic dip, waiting in some cases for over three hours as the kitchen was so overwhelmed.