Eatery has new name, boutique finds new home
Probably the most notable change in businesses this past week has been in connection with Sombrero Mexican Food, 2401 S 4th Ave., judging from the emails and messages I received.
The counter-service chain had been offering San Diego-style Mexican food for several years, but now the franchise agreement has expired and the local owners decided to take complete ownership of the restaurant.
Luis and Daniela Morales are now calling it Diego’s Mexican Food, in honor of their 2-year-old son. Daniela said that they are keeping the same quality food and some menu items but they’ve also introduced and removed some items.
And the restaurant will continue serving food through the drive-thru, although for now the drive-thru menu is printed out on plain paper with no images. Also, the Sombrero name has been taken down and the Morales are waiting for the new signs to go up.
Some readers are saddened by the loss of Sombrero and said they’ll have to drive to El Centro to eat the food, but others are just happy that their favorite eatery is still open and with the same owners.
This is before my time, but reader Richard Moore called the building a bit of a curse. “The Flamingo Motel (which was owned by a famous rodeo clown) was there first (the fast food place is about where the swimming pool and restaurant was). Then it was the Golden Corral for years (covering the entire area including where Burger King is now). I was away in university or teaching so (I’m) not sure when Golden Corral left but I know Burger King was there in the early ’90s. Popeye’s Chicken was the next one I remember and then El Pollo Asado, then Sombreros.”
To reach Diego’s, call (928) 726-3320. *** The Desert Sun Plaza, the site of the former Corcovado Motel, 2607 S. 4th Ave., is seeing some action now that it has been converted into offices and retail space. One of the first to move into the newly renovated space is Vlanco Boutique, which was previously at 670 W. Catalina Dr.
The boutique has been in business for three years, but 20-year-old Andrea Plaza bought it in January and decided to move it to 2607 S. 4th Ave., Suite A.
She offers a variety of ladies’ fashions, from casual to formal and semi-formal, including prom, wedding