Los
Arroyos Restaurant:
Home to Fine Mexican Food & Hospitality
During
what seems the rainiest week in history in Santa Barbara
I spent an afternoon with local restaurateur Tony Arroyo, who
began his restaurant dynasty in the Santa Barbara area in 1999.
Tony was born in La Piedad de Cabadas, a city in the north-west
of the Mexican state of Michoacán,
bordering Jalisco
and Guanajuato,
where he worked as a welder until he ran away to Tijuana at
13, and crossed the border into Pasadena. He was in love with
Pasadena, where he worked at local restaurants, and then settled
in Santa Barbara, where he attended Santa Barbara City College
and worked, sometimes three jobs at once in food and hospitality
venues like Four Seasons Biltmore, Carrows and the Red Lion.
He also spent nine years as general manager of Moby Dicks. The
successful restaurateur credits his ex-wife Maria for helping
him make his dream come true. They have a wonderful son Diego,
who works closely with his father in the restaurant, as well
as at major charity events, and is a becoming a rising chef
star in his own right.
Crab Enchalada Plate
In
1999 Tony opened his first restaurant and the rest is history.
He considers his staff family, and has sponsored many of them
for education opportunities at Santa Barbara City College. According
to Tony "many of our employees have been with us from ten
to eighteen years." Today he owns three Los Arroyos Restaurants,
#1 in Santa Barbara, #2 in Montecito and #3 in Camarillo, with
rumors of another possibly coming soon. Recently, Tony traveled
to Indianapolis, Indiana to open what may be the first of many
co-owned Los Arroyos venues in the state of Indiana. The downtown
Santa Barbara venue is a favorite of business people and families
in the area, and the take-out service makes it even more attractive
to everyone. Having worked nearby the State and Anapamu restaurant
for several years, I personally loved being able to run over
and pick-up lunch and eat at my desk, however, the service is
very quick and at lunch the place is always packed with a happy
hungry lunch crowd.
Tony & son Diego Arroyo at "Taste of the Town"
charity event
The
Montecito venue is on Coast Road and offers a charming outdoor
patio, a welcoming center dining room and bar dining room, featuring
rich wood, Mexican art and very hospitable service. A delightful
private room that seats ten or more for special family occasions
or business meetings can be reserved in advance. The art seen
on the walls in the restaurant is quite beautiful and Tony said
he hired a talented artisan to create these Mexican treasures
he shares with his patrons. The menu at the Montecito venue
is filled with so many delicious Mexican specialties that it's
difficult to make a choice. The bar offers a fine selection
of wine, beer and of course magical Margarita's, made with a
variety of fine tequila including Patron.
Ensalada Tropical Plate
Specialty
dishes featured are made from recipes created exclusively by
Los Arroyos you will find a variety of beautifully prepared
and presented plates to please your palate. A variety of tacos,
enchiladas, sopas all made with fresh and healthy ingredients
offer something for everyone.
The
salads are remarkable, and the Ensalada Tropical is a specialty
loved by locals who frequent the restaurant. My favorite is
the Crab Enchilada with rice and beans, which is the best I
have ever had anywhere, including in some very fancy gourmet
restaurants throughout Mexico. The Tacos Gobernador is another
renowned dish Tony serves with pride, and for an amazing dessert
the Flan or Apple Pie Taco is guaranteed to provide a sweet
ending to a memorable meal at Tony Arroyos Mexican Restaurant
and Take-Out.
Apple Pie Taco
On
many occasions I have had the pleasure to photograph Tony and
his son at local charity events, including the Santa Barbara
Arthritis Association "Taste of the Town" and countless
other charity gatherings. Diego, his son has grown up in his
father's food world and enjoys preparing and serving dishes
with him at events. It has been a pleasure watching him grow
into the fine young man he has become, and I love that he has
the same caring heart his dad has regarding helping those in
need.
Flan Dessert
Take
out is a feature that sets Tony's Los Arroyos Restaurants apart.
They offer a menu of delicious Mexican favorites that are perfect
for large parties or private gathering at home. For detailed
information visit: http://losarroyos.net/group-take-out-menu
Los
Arroyos Restaurants
Santa Barbara
14 W. Figueroa St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone 805.962.5541
Fax 805.962.2341
http://losarroyos.net/vvvv
