Casa Vega restaurant in Sherman Oaks will be honored with an official street naming ceremony this Cinco de Mayo as the city designates the intersection of Ventura Boulevard and Fulton Avenue as Vega Square.
Casa Vega, an iconic San Fernando Valley restaurant that has hosted Hollywood legends for decades, will be honored with an official street naming ceremony this Cinco de Mayo.
The City of Los Angeles will designate the intersection of Ventura Boulevard and Fulton Avenue in Sherman Oaks as Vega Square during a celebration called Casa Vega Legacy Day. The event takes place on Tuesday, May 5.
Mayor Karen Bass and LA City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez will attend the ceremony with members of the Vega family. The celebration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the official street naming ceremony in front of Casa Vega.
Casa Vega opened in 1956 and has become a Valley institution known for its authentic Mexican cuisine and strong connection to Old Hollywood. The restaurant sits at 13301 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks and features a white exterior with a red Casa Vega sign written in script.
The restaurant has hosted legendary figures including Marlon Brando, Cary Grant, Dean Martin, Desi Arnaz, Charlize Theron, Sandra Bullock, and Dave Grohl. More recently, Leonardo DiCaprio and Quentin Tarantino filmed scenes from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood outside the restaurant.
I think that the impetus of this is to try and highlight with all the ICE stuff that has happened recently, and just the anti-Latino sentiment some of the founders of this town and the Latinos that made L.A.
Christy Vega, the current owner who took over running the restaurant in 2012, said the event is meaningful for her family.
I always say we are where Old Hollywood and Chicano culture come to meet
Christy Vega said of her family's Mexican restaurant
The restaurant celebrates its 70th anniversary in September, though the May 5 celebration marks an important milestone. The intersection naming honors Ray Vega, the restaurant founder who passed away in 2021 at age 86.
Ray Vega wrote an annual letter to his landlord requesting to buy the property. Christy continued this practice when she took over and secured a 50-year lease or the option to buy the property. She invested heavily in the restaurant to ensure its long-term future.
Christy also fulfilled her father's dream of an outdoor patio, unveiling a 3,000 square foot alfresco space in March. The new Ray Vega Patio features a retractable roof, permanent heaters, an 18-seat outdoor bar, and elegant restrooms with custom tile and Aesop soap.
The permitting process for the patio took nearly three years, followed by eight months of construction. The patio has a 100-person capacity and includes Lunaquatic fountains and elaborate iron work.
There was nothing better than drinking margaritas outside
Christy said about the patio
Following the street naming ceremony, Casa Vega will open at 10 a.m. for a Cinco de Mayo brunch. The afternoon features live Spanish guitar, percussion, Mariachi performances, and an a la carte taco menu.
The event aims to celebrate the legacy of Latino founders in Los Angeles amid recent anti-Latino sentiment. Casa Vega has become more than a restaurant a Valley landmark that connects Hollywood history with Chicano culture.
This article was generated with AI assistance.