If you live anywhere near or pass the area of San Pablo Avenue and MacDonald Avenue in Richmond California you’ve stared and wondered at the large rock encrusted building that is, the Hacienda. Even if you haven’t been in the neighborhood for 30 years, that’s okay because it’s still there and has been since the late 1940s. There are a few of these restaurants still in business today, Trevino’s, Gonzalez and probably a few others. These restaurants are left over from days gone by and are usually patronized by an older set today. Interesting ingredients and far off flavors are not what they’re looking for. Something safe and can count on each time is the staple. Which is probably why my grandmother and uncle Ralph brought us there nearly every week when we were growing up, picky eaters can be dealt with. So, with this in mind we decided to return to a restaurant I hadn’t been to in probably 30 years.
Our party consisted of myself, Mama, Dr. Five Pints, Friend Jim, Sister and Meathead. Mama wanted to know why the Hacienda when we have such great places to eat in the San Francisco Bay Area. Two reasons, 1. I wanted to see if they still have the fountain in the foyer. 2. What with food bloggers out and about, most every place has been done to death. And nobody in their right-mind would attempt the Hacienda. We were a perfect fit and we agreed upon a 7:30 meet up in the bar.
We pulled up exactly on time and found the parking lot nearly empty, even along the restaurants front door. It’s a tall building, maybe 2 stories worth and covered in fake adobe, rocks with weathered dark wood trim. The two heavy wooden main doors must be 12 feet tall and all carved pretty like. My hands were shaking and memories were filling my craggy mind. I remember walking in with gramma, usually wearing her red coat and red purse (no Emil, she was wearing the red coat and carrying the purse, not me). My little sister wrapped up in some fantasy or plotting against me. Ralph would be whistling along bringing up the rear. Each and every time the anticipation of seeing the fountain would give me a thrill. Not only is it visual, but can be heard from everywhere in the buidling. Of course it helps when nobody is there too. I remember when I was old and strong enough to open that wood door on my own, UuUUUuurrrmmmph! I was a big boy!
As you can see, the fountain is still there. A little worse for wear, but working perfectly and a pretty golden color. Remember, it’s a fountain, not a shower. Off to my right was the cashier and dining area, oh man. Not only had nothing changed, it was the same dust.
For the first time ever, I was able to walk straight in to the bar. Another milestone for Biggles. The bar was dark, really dark. In fact the back of it was nearly invisible.
Our bartender said her name was Trish and we decided on some drinks before dinner, cause that’s what Ricky and Lucy would have done 50 years go, very cool. Trish is probably in her early 60s and wearing a little white waitress outfit with red bows. Her white hair all done up in a beehive do and the make-up? Las Vegas style comes to mind. The problem was that Trish, our bartender, couldn’t find the rum for Sister’s rum and diet coke. Nor could she find any cranberry juice, Howabout orange juice? Yes, she found the orange juice, a screwdriver is pretty straightforward. Five Pints asked what kind of beer they had, “here we go,” I thought. Yup, Bud, Bud Light, Coors and yes, Corona. Fine, Corona it was. Jim said earlier he and Trish (the bartender) had a tough time figuring out how to make the booze dispensing system work. “Q”? What’s that? None of it made sense. At least she found the gin. I believe she tasted Jim’s drink first just to make sure, she cares.
Looking back out of bar towards foyer.
Mama and I don’t go out much, so it was nice to shoot the breeze and hang out in a dark bar somewheres. Too bad we were the only patrons in the bar … and the restaurant.
I believe it was Jim that said, “Hey look at that!” and pointed to a little disco ball above the dance floor. It looked a little dingy and sad up there. The bar area is large enough for a substantial amount of people, sitting or standing or dancing. The stage was large enough to hold a guy with a geetar or a band. Since this building truly has no windows, there are fake windows in most of the rooms, some modern with mirrors and some with fake leaded plastic glass that are lit from behind, kinda eery.
Trish had wandered off and came back in a shot, our table was ready and she had the chips all laid out. It was clear we were to move and move quickly. And now, bless her heart, she was our waitress for dinner.
The dining room has clearly been redone, probably a few times. Again, could hold many diners. Tonight’s flock? That’d be 1, 2, 3, … 6.
The hefty menus were handed out, Trish took care of our water and chip needs. There was a wide variety of items listed, even sounded good sometimes. But I knew better and stuck with my two taco combo plate, but Jim opted for the Lamb Cabrito. Trish cupped her hands to her mouth and yelled for Jose asking about the lamb, it was in and Jim got what he needed. Trish took our orders, but had some guess work as to what went where and assured us more plates were coming.
I’m not convinced it’d make any difference if you knew what this was. We ate and looked around. Meathead told stories of the last time he and Sister had visited and other various dinner time talk.
We all agree Jim’s Cabrito looked the best and his french fries were reported to be real good. Most of the meals looked like poor Five Pints there above. Here was my taco plate,
They were okay, but there was some kind of tomato based salsa in there that had a flavor I didn’t like. Neat looking eh? We all finished up in fine style and when the check came I noticed our waitress’ name was Patsy, interesting. She sure looked like Trish the bartender to me.
As with some meals, it’s the atmosphere and the company you keep that makes the evening. And in this tradition, our evening was a grand slam. Tonight’s gold award goes to Five Pints for getting a moving violation ticket for blowing a stop sign on his bicycle on the way over. He didn’t let it ruin a perfectly wonderful evening, thank you sir! And our Clean Plate Ranger award goes to Meathead, plate was spotless.
While our supper with friends was a fine time, sometimes it’s better to let our memories carry us through the future. Don’t mess with reality unless you have to. It isn’t necessarily your friend and can leave you with a rumbly tummy and nightmares.
Cheers,
Senior Biggles
Hacienda
Mexican & American Food
12020 San Pablo Avenue
Richmond, CA 94805
510-235-2000
Attractive interior! I could see the Henge lab and staff hanging out there a lot…maybe doing some kind of deal or other promoting, as always, good food and such.
“…but there was some kind of tomato based salsa in there that had a flavor I didn’t like.”
Are you crazy? That is the magic ingredient of the Hacienda taco!!! It is what makes them so special and taste so 30 years ago.
I wish I could buy the place, and turn it into something super, extra, spectacular, but my LOTTO numbers never come up.
Anyway, a fine time was had by all, and aside from the rumbly tummy and freaky post-meal dreams, everything came out all right in the end…
Yeah, right, Mama: Came out in the end. (oog)
Mr. Henge! Have you been tagged for the childhood 5 memories? Just say no and i won’t bother you.
xx
cc
A disco ball…where’s John Travolta when you need him?
G.
I’m telling the truth, Cookiecrumb. Honest injun! Meals that do a whammy on my digestive tract give me the craziest dreams. Post-pepperoni-pizza dreams are the worst. They always leave me in a cold sweat and my stomach twisted in knots. I’m just a delicate flower! Okay, so that only applies to my gastro-intestinal tract, but it’s fer reeel!
I’ve seen that place plenty of times but haven’t eaten there yet. Some day…
Great write up. Wish I were there. Wait a minute! I was. Seemed like a dream. The lamb cabrito tasted as though it had lamb in it. I’d swear the fries were made from fresh-cut potatoes. A grand time.
Mrs. Chilebrown and I ate there in the middle 80’s. We ordered a 20 dollar pitcher of Strawbery Margarita’s with our dinner. I watched the bartender poor the pitcher. He put less than an ounce of tequila in the whole pitcher. Our food was so bad!!!!!! We decided to ‘Dine and Dash’ I am not real proud of that, but it was 20 years ago. I think our picture is posted over the cash register.
Yes indeed. I think we should make it our regular Thursday night thing. Only next time, I’m bottling and bringing some salsa.
Actually we could make that a point for the meal…everyone could make and bring salsa. I don’t think you quite got across just how horrid the two salsas were. For the uninitiated we had two types:
1. Marinara sauce. Straight Prego, Ragu, or something like that. But without mushrooms, and therefore, it was salsa.
2. Pico de Yucko. A few jalapenos, some onion, something that looked like cilantro, and a whole lotta watta.
Let’s go back again. Hopefully this time I won’t get a ticket.
Hey Everyone,
Thanks for stopping by and yeah, Five Pints, the food was pretty farking awful. But I figure, most people could guess how it was from the pictures and a little of the prose. I didn’t want to really slam the Hacienda, they clearly are unarmed and flayed raw. I didn’t think it fair.
We need to hit up Gonzales, that’s next.
Biggles
Five Pints, you’re right. The salsa was n-a-s-t-y. After tasting the watery salsa first, I couldn’t even bring myself to sample the marinara sauce. I like me too much for that. Biggles may pass on bringing homemade salsa as he just received several jarred sauces (gasp) that he is supposed to sample and write up. Maybe he’ll bring some of those?
What I will bring for the next dinner is soap! And no, we will not bathe communally at the restaurant with it. Use the soap at your home (and at your own risk) and tell me what you think of it. Anyway, my second batch has aged five weeks and should be good to go.
Emil was wearing the Red coat and purse?
I’m cornfuzzled!
And, after Gonzales, TreviƱos. The Mighty Bland Three of Grashawful (so-called) Mexican food. DrFP, I beg to differ the non-hot salsa was not ragu-ish, but more 57 varieties type catsup–still without ‘shrooms. Soap might improve the gin and tonic I ordered.
Jim,
I think the soap was in mama’s soup.
haha these comments are priceless.
Biggles, I’m not trying to further flay the Hacienda at all. In fact I suggest we return. That food would approach edibility if we just had some great salsas (sort of a restauraunch restorative respite).
Hey Fiver,
I would love to have an every Thursday gathering, that would be SUPREME.
I wish the food was better, I’m more interested in meeting at Gonzales instead. But I don’t think they have seating for larger groups, such as ours. Most of their seating is in booths. They have a meeting room where the lions club, or some such meet. AND they have a “party” room for birthdays.
So, I think the Hacienda would be the BEST choice to meet. You just cannot beat the atmosphere and Trish is priceless.
Uh and I think we’d need to step up the time so we aren’t so rushed through drinking and dining. Can we get closer to 6 or 6:30 instead of 7:30?
Biggles
Wouldn’t it be funny if we sneaked in our all our other homemade treats along with the salsa and soap? Hmm… I wonder how I could sneak in a jug of my newly fermented blackberry wine or hard cider and convince Trish that those items were indeed on the menu and that she served to ’em us? I’ll have to put some more thought into this.
Shit, what we should do is take over the damned kitchen.
In any case … over the years I’ve been offered this and that in regards to catering, cooking or anything related to those things. I declined them all knowing full well what real professional cooking takes, everything you got every day. I’ve also not looked in to opening my own restaurant because of the failure rate and knowing I don’t believe I have the business sense to make any business successful.
I have to say though, that experiencing the Hacienda has inspired me to consider buying and running a restaurant. A restaurant that would combine real Mexican food in today’s world, yet offering it up in a 1950s theme. This being a bar with live entertainment … the works and not emptying your pocket.
But then I have no money and I’m lazy, so nevermind.
Biggles
A weekly meeting / dinner would be nice, but I would suggest that we rotate through the local restaurants, group blog and comment them, and just plain have fun.
Hey Jim,
I think your idea is better. Being a Hacienda groupie isn’t quite where I’d like to be, on second thought.
Dyuuude;
Think catering is hard? Try competition cooking
š
If someone approached you for the right price, though, I’d be happy to be your wingman (again for the right price). (Insert a second big grin here). Shit dude, we could rent the hacienda and cater a huge party there!
SO down with mama’s idea to just cater our own meal at Hacienda. I like Hacienda for Hacienda, not what’s inside it. I think its name says it all – you’re there for the majestically appointed villa and not the other stuff.
It would be hilarious to bring backpacks and small coolers full of good food that we wanted to eat, then when Trish wasn’t looking we could pour out the hacienda fare into said containers and replace it with what we brung. Ultimate commando food bloggers. It would need to happen at a time when there were more than six people in the whole place though, and I don’t know if that will ever happen. It would be an operation worthy of several blog posts to try however. I could make rellenos.
I do want to patronize them. Like we were saying at the place, it’s obviously gramma and granpa’s pet hobby. They can’t possibly be making any money off of the property since the Albertson’s left town. They must have it paid off and are just trying to keep that liquor license going long enough to sell it to someone else. The hacienda is about three starbucks’ width, wouldn’t you say? Or do you think they’ll build more incredibly ugly cheap housing like the one down the road (ensconcing Strings, J.R. Muggs et al) and the new one sprouting up across the street from Nibs? Considering how apparently content the city of Richmond is, though, with rotting properties (monkey ward’s comes to mind), I don’t know how much actual danger of redevelopment it is in.
Those are my thoughts. Everyone go and read my Sizzler rant on five pints. I only have one comment and it’s some good stuff.
I agree with what I said.
Hey F. Pints,
Yeah, cooking in general for others can bring a sweat to your brow one way t’other.
I wonder what the owners are up to, I should go have a conversation. SURELY they’ve had offers on the land or the place for one reason or another.
I’m not sure how the city of Richmond does it, but I know it’s pretty easy to get a building saved in Berkeley. Doesn’t have to be marked historic, just a place of historic interest or some such.
I wonder if I sold our house, and put a down on the Hacienda, if I could afford it. We could LIVE there!!! That’s the best idea I’ve ever had.
A bar, a kitchen, dining area, plenty of bathroom space and a damned fountain!!! Livin’ large.
Biggles
Great idea. Livin’ large at the Hacienda. But then we’d have to call you SeƱor Biggles. Bring me the comfy chair!
Nobody expects the Hacienda Inquisition, poke me with the soft cushions.
SeƱor Biggles. I kinda like the sound of that. My new name could be SeƱora Mamasita. Find out how much they’d take for the Hacienda. I’d swap my house for their place, slap a StarBucks in a portion of the old Lucky’s (crap coffee, but the sure know how to churn a buck) and rent the rest of the store to… Hmm… What would look good there? We already have Trader Joe’s in El Cerrito. Perhaps a Whole Foods, or a Berkeley Bowl renamed to Richmond Bowl? Or something else, something that would really put the RICH in Richmond… I know it’s out there, but what is is? Speak to me oh mighty universe!
Forget what I said about StarBucks. I was drunk with the idea of rolling, naked, through piles of ill-gotten monies. Blue Bottle is going into Lucky’s. It’s what the universe wants and needs to create balance and harmony within itself. Besides, Tiny E. wants to help Manboy make more coffee.
I like the Pim shot. I had all these ideas about what “the Pim shot” might mean as my internet connection crawled over to the post. This exceeded expectations. tanx.
We need to all hang out again. There is a Dutch oven gathering at lake Chabot in September if anyone is interested.
the hacienda restaurant is strange because theres only one car outside the restaurant it is strange we came once to the restaurant it was closed.
Hey Godoy,
Yup, it’s closed, all day all night. I believe that’s the owner’s car, probably watching tv in peace & quiet. Sad to see the place die a slow death like this.
Biggles
Its strange the light of the hacienda at night turns at night but the hacienda sign doesnt turn on but the orange suns back of the building turns on, the suns and front of the building turns on thats wierd.sometimes theres are cars outside at the restaurant.I hope they dont demolish the poor place.the abondoned albertsons it still there the lights dont turn on at night.I hope robers dont stell the owners car.i wonder what the owner does in that restaurant.we should spy at him what does he do.i wounder whats inside today at the restaurant…..
Hey Salvador,
It’s my guess, but I think they and/or the owner, hang out. They’ve got a little TV and a bar, plus a bathroom. What a nice, quiet place to be. And am also guessing, considering the age of the owner and his friends, the place looks exactly like it did 3 years ago when we went.
And, I hope they don’t tear it down. Because that would probably mean that Krung Tep would go as well. That’s my favorite Chinese place, can’t live without that!
Biggles
Hey Dr.Biggles You might be right its true ,But I think the owner pays his own bills at the restaurant.With no people I wounder he fired all the people he use to work with the chef the waitres or probably they just hang out inside.I wounder in the future what hes going to do with the restaurant good bye hacienda and all that you have give us the tacos,enchiladas were very good and the burrito I only went there 2 times.Good bye we never see all of the inside at that place.
are you guys hiring????