When I came to Los Angeles in 1960 at the age 0f 18, on a Greyhound bus, the Hispanic culture was new to me, being from the mid-west. For about 9 1/2 years, I lived in the 700 block of North Bonnie Brae St. My wonderful landlady Haytivick Viola Smith, introduced me to Nayarit, when the manager was Maria. I immediately fell in love with the culture and the great food, But, I must admit, sometimes, we would go to the Brite Spot restaurant, since we are Anglos. I remember the juke box and the live entertainment at night. On one Christmas, we were invited to their house for a party. It was maybe on Coronado or Montana St., above Alvarado. We were so sad when it was sold, then closed in the mid seventies. They made delicious Chile Rellenos and Beef Enchiladas, both my favorite. I,m so glad that the old neon sign was saved. Not to forget, the Pioneer market, chicken and liqueur stores at Sunset and Echo Park Blvd. PS: Just remembered Carlos ? the waiter, who had an apartment building in the Angelino Heights area.
I lived in Echo Park in the 50's and 60's, and my aunts and uncles went to the Nayarit and spoke of it often. It was a wonderful neighborhood and community in those years. BTW, Dr. Molina mentioned Finers Clothing store but the text read pioneers. It was Finers Clothing store, and the other one in the same area that I loved was Toni's. My mom would take me shopping there for special occasions. That part of Sunset Blvd. was our main street. Very fond memories of the area and the families who were our neighbors, the Hom family, the Gonzales family, the Giilium family.
Nayarit is one of the first Mexican restaurants I ever went to, sometime in the late 1950s. It was for a wedding reception. My mom found the food so good, we came back time and time again. This brings back so many memories for this now older 'white' boy.
