The Azteca Mexican Restaurant

A history...

Over 50 years ago, Connie J. Skipworth opened the Old Mexico Cafe in Long Beach, California. The year was 1945 and the pace was hectic due to the naval presence and the defense workers concentrated in the Long Beach area. Using old family recipes from her mother, Connie began to learn the restaurant business, aided by her sister, Irene Tonche. Irene had already developed the famous La Conga restaurant in San Pedro which she ran successfully until her retirement in 1989.

In 1952, using their many years of hard-earned experience, Irene and Connie helped their brother, Jimmie Jauregui, establish the still flourishing Mexico City Restaurant in Long Beach. Six years later, seeking another challenge, Connie opened the first Azteca Mexican Restaurant in the city of Garden Grove in 1958 (on Garden Grove Boulevard near Haster Street).

Twenty eight years later, in 1980, Connie purchased the present location for the Azteca here on Historical Main Street, at last realizing her dream for an ideal location to display her life-time collection of memorabilia and antiques. A dream to share these nostalgic treasures with customers and friends by providing the atmosphere for a truely unique dining experience. So that you might enjoy the finest of Mexican cuisine carefully prepared from the finest ingredients.

In the intervening years, Connie's dream has materialized. Much of the all-oak intereior was gleaned from the demolition of the venerable Greenbriar Inn, from the red roof tiles to the back bar in the lounge. A setting of floor-to-ceiling oak and antiques...with Crooners Lounge for full cocktail service. Combine all this with 50 years of food preparation expertise, a penchant for cleanliness and strict demands for the highest quality, and you have Connie's dream...the Azteca today.
Please enjoy it.

Fast forward to today...

Over the years, the Azteca has grown with the times. While maintaining its roots as a family friendly, Mexican Restaurant, the Azteca also provides loads of entertainment for the community. These events include Friday night car shows, Karaoke twice a week, Elvis impersonators, live bands, and more. The restaurant and bar also have a combined 11 plasma screen televisions, MLB baseball game packages, and the NFL network. And when the games aren't on, you'll always find a Elvis movie playing in the background to add to the eye candy.

So why the fixtation with Elvis? Well, that's best answered by telling the story of the Azteca's generous owner best known as "JJ". In 1962, when he was only six years old, JJ was watching the movie "Loving You" and heard Elvis sing "Teddy Bear" on his parents black and white, grainy television. Even as a young child, JJ appreciated the greatness that was Elvis and was hooked.

Over the years, JJ continued to admire Elvis. He was inspired by the "King's" raw sexual appeal, his dancing, movements, and the way he sang. Admittedly, this phenomenon affected more than just a few young Americans at the time. JJ even has an ex-girlfriend that once dated Elvis.

In 1993, JJ bought a picture of Elvis and hung it in the lounge over booth #1. And like the first domino that is pushed over, a chain reaction had started. Everything was down hill from there, and there was no stopping it. So, 1500 (plus) pieces of memorabilia later, the Azteca now boast the largest Elvis collection this side of the Mississippi.

This isn't just an ordinary collection however. Its THE collection to see. And seeing is believing. All the autographs, and movie posters are real. Clocks with dancing Elvis', velvet paintings, figurines, lamps...you name it.

Click here to view pictures of the collection.

Host your party here! The Azteca is a great place for your next party or special event! Hold your next birthday party here.
Host Fun-Filled Work Events.
Celebrate Anniversarys.
High School Reunion After-Parties.

Azteca Contact Information: We want to hear from you! Here's how you can get a hold of us. 12911 Historic Main st.
Garden Grove
714-638-3790
Click here for directions!