El Meson in West Carrollton.

The most frequent question that I am asked when it comes to food has to be inquiries centered around my favorite restaurants in town.

Ihavemanyonthislist, but one that I have never wavered on is

When it comes to restaurants that have consistently delicious food, exemplary customer service and a setting that strikes the right tone for the meal, El Meson is a dining destination that hits the mark.

Thisdini n ggemisturning 39 next weekend and is celebrating with some very cool events on July 14-15.

In honor of its last year in its 30s, here are 39 things to know and love about El Meson.

1) The restaurant opened to the public on July 15, 1978.

2) The restaurant was started by Herman and Gloria Castro. It is now owned and operated by their kids and spouses — Bill, Marie, Scott and Chef Mark Abbott.

3) The location was a small failing pizza business in 1978 called Pizza Queen. The Castro family decided to go a different direction and El Meson was born.

4) The Castros had never eaten pizza until they purchased the Pizza Queen.

5) The family hails from the country of Colombia in South America.

6) The owners credit former Dayton Daily News food critic Ann Heller with discovering them and putting them on the local dining map.

7) There have been five major additions over the years, and every year the restaurant’s owners reinvest in remodels and upgrades.

8) The restaurant can seat a whopping 450 people in five different dining rooms.

9) It’s one of the best places to dine on a patio in town (in my opinion) with 15 tables in the solarium and 10 tables in the front patio of the restaurant, which was part of the last addition.

10)It’san8m ile drive from downtown Dayton that takes about 12 minutes if you head south on I-75.

11) There is no charge to rent private rooms for social events.

12) The Castro family’s motto is, “Si, se puede” — “Yes,wec an.”

13 )E l Meson is named after a type of restaurant in Spai nthatservesac omplete dinning menu.

14 ) The ydoalotof catering. “All of our business has increased and ouroffpr emise reflects that. Since we offer private rooms for events, our in-house catering has doubled since last year. One example is we are hosting many life celebration part iesinthelossofaloved one. Many families want to do an upbeat memorial to remember a family member now deceased,” said Bill Castro, general manager and co-owner of the restaurant.

15) The restaurant doesn’t just do dinner. They have increasingly done more and more special events, averaging 25-30 a year.

16)Their signature events include a low countr yb oil and their Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

17) Paws on the patio happens on the second Tuesday of every month through September, with the next one happening July 11 from 5-9 p.m. Dog owners can bring their dogs out to the patio to enjoy tapas, dinner and drinks.

18) El Meson’s house brand tequila is Doebel and is specially bottled for the restaurant. They carry up to 20 different brands of tequila at an ygi ven time.

19) They don’t do a happy hour, but instead focus on special spirit tastings and other special events where they offer reduced prices rather then the same $1 or $2 off on a set drink list.

20) The most popular items on the m enua re the Chilean salmon stack ($29), Manchego cheese puffs ($10 for 12, $7 for five) and chicken tortilla soup (small $7, large $10).

21) For Bill Castro, soups are a go to on busy days who adds, “Arroz YaYa is a trip to my soul.”

22) El Meson h as six food trucks. Learn more a boutwheretofind them during the week by vis- iting www.elmeson.net/ our-food-trucks

23) If you are going with friends, pitchers of drinks are a good option. Pitchers of the restaurant’s award-winning margaritas and mojitos sell for $32. Pitchers of sangria are $28. Most pitchers serve about five glasses.

24) The menus u sedto be influenced by different countries, but recently they have introduced a menuof“NewandNoteables,” which allow them to be seasonal and creative with the specialty menu items t heyoffer.

25) El Meson is open for lunch. Located within a short drive from downtown, many businesses choose to entertain guests there.

26) The owners take customers and friends on annual Wine and Food Culinary Trip sfor two weeks to destinations like South America, Spain and Italy each year.

27) Their next trip will be to Ecuador in January 2018. Amazons, Quito and the Galapagos Islands will be later in 2018. The restaurant does trips twice ay ear.

28) They make all of their soups, bread and desserts in-house.

29)Theywereanonsmoking restaurant before it was banned

3 0)Glori a and Mari Cas- tros hop for the restaurant’s gift area called YaYa Street. There is jewelry, leather bags, home decor, painted pottery and other gift items for sale ranging in price from$ 5tos everal hundred dollars.

31) The restaurant has played host to Spanish classes from around the Miami Valley for decades. Session s are centered around developing a respect and knowledge of Hispanic cult urean d cove rsa wide range of topics including: foods, nuances in language and more. The price per student is just$13,w hich includes a three-course meal of authentic Hispanic cuisinefromaro und the globe. Classes can be offered during school field trips or in the evenings and Spanish speaking is encouraged. Call Pedro Suarez for more information at 937-8598229.

32) Bill Castro says the mostu nique ingredients t heyusearesaffroninthe cooking and firewa terbitters in the restaurant’s award winning cocktail Tamiami Mami.

33) The restaurant is always looking for good help if you are looking for a job.

34) W hatdothey b elieves eparates El Meson from other restaurants? “Our passion for change,” says Castro.

35) They recently won the title of best tapa and cocktail pairing at the Battle of the Bartenders event earlier this year.

36)Theyhavemore than 6,000 Facebook friends.

37)Friday,J uly 14, will be El Meson’s 39th Anniversary Street Party from 4-11 p.m. Live music from Nothing But Treble starts at 5 p.m. and Velvet Crush takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Margaritas, mojitos, and sangria will be served up for $6 each and El Meson’s food trucks will be serving up a variety of favorites and specials. Purchase $5 tickets in advance to the party to avoid the line at the door .V . I.P.pat io seats are also available. Visit El Meson’s website at www. elmeson.net for more details.

38) On Saturday, July 15, the restaurant will be hosting Bourbon, Tequila and Paella with special guest Joe Head from 6-10 p.m. Where you can enjoy your choice of five bourbon or tequila samp lesacco mpanied with the restaurant’s signature paella. Special guest Joe Head from the Cent uryB ar will be curating and discussing both tequila and bourbon all under the big tent. The restaurant’s Bourbon and Tequila tastings consistently sell ou t early, so gett ickets now if you are interested. Cost is $45 per person with additional tastes for $5.

39) Did I mention it’s at the top of my list of best restaurants in Dayton? That’s a fact.