This is an account of an ordinary family who grew to be known about the town of Phoenix as the people who serve the best Mexican food.  The Garcia family wasn't always in the public eye as it is today. This story is to let those people who have been with us for years, and those who have not, know exactly how and where this all began.

The history of the tale returns us to a nostalgic period.  It was a time when two young people, full of ambitions and goals, set their minds to making a dream come true.

A young man by the name of Julio M Garcia had just returned to the valley after spending 2 years in the service.  Upon his arrival, he took a job as a mechanic for Butane.  He returned to a woman by the name of Olivia Salazar, they were married shortly thereafter, and began to build a life together.  One year later, in 1947, the Garcia's had their first child.  They named her Maria.  Being the industrious couple they were, they wanted the best for their new addition, and it was time to expand on their living quarters.  In fact, the Garcia's ventured out of their element and became one of the first Mexican families to move into the very same location they are now.  Soon enough, friendliness was bestowed upon the Garcia family, and Olivia began to win the hearts of her neighbors through their stomachs.  On occasion, a block party would cause the neighborhood to congregate for festivities, food, and fun.  While other women brought desserts and casseroles, Olivia brought her Mexican dishes.  She received more of an audience than she thought she ever would.  About two years passed and the Garcia's had continued with their content way of life.  Then, Olivia posed an idea that would drastically alter the life in which they were so accustomed.

Olivia had a notion to open up a restaurant.  She had such excellent feedback about her food, that she decided to take a chance and become a restaurateur.  Julio had his reservations, but gave the go ahead, retaining his job at Butane for financial security.  In 1956, Olivia, together with the support of her husband and a few more family members, opened up the first of a long line of restaurants.

The first of the Garcia's restaurants was nothing more than a mere taco stand.  But for the Garcia family, this was to become their livelihood.  The stand had two picnic tables, but quickly expanded to four.  With all that Mexican food passing hands, they had to wash it down with something, so they kept a showcase refrigerator always stocked with Barq's soda.  There were only two windows where all the transactions took place.  As for decor, the little restaurant had the "home sweet home" look of white-washed walls, dried chilies, and sombreros.  It wasn't fancy, but it was good. So there the family stood, behind the counter from morning until night, working together for a brighter future.

Their clientele had grown so large they had to move in order to accommodate them,  This is also about the time when the frugal Julio decided to devote himself to the success of the newly located restaurant.  There the business flourished, and with acquisition of a new building, also came 3 more children, Theresa, Julio Jr., and Paul.  As the children got older, they found themselves, in the restaurant helping out any way they could.

The legacy was about to expand further.  The Garcia family had decided to open up an additional restaurant.  With the help of Maria and her husband Richard, Garcia del Este was born.  This venture was extremely well received and quickly prospered.  Again the family business had taken yet another step when daughter Theresa successfully opened Garcia's del Metro.  Finally, Garcia's Las Villas made its way into the Garcia's lives. About now, the Garcia's began to run out of children to open restaurants, so they turned elsewhere.  With some financial assistance, Garcia's had become a multi-national franchise chain called 'Garcia's of Scottsdale',  The business spread far and wide, but the fact that it was no longer solely a family oriented business, the Garcia's sold their interest.  The family restaurants located in the valley were sold to the 'Garcia's of Scottsdale" chain, therefore, no longer owned and operated by the family.

However, the family did not discontinue preparing excellent authentic dishes for its public.  Julio and Olivia opened the present Las Avenidas.  The tradition of "good food, good service" , still continues even today.

Julio and Olivia have created a generation of restaurant success for their children and one day hopefully their grandchildren.  The success of Garcia's is attributed to Julio's financial foresight, continual support to his wife Olivia, and hi good old-fashioned business sense.

Written with pride by their granddaughter,

Eve Adrian Lipson