Diners who have headed to Cherokee Street in search of authentic Mexican fare in the past few months might have noticed that the doors are shut at La Vallesana, located at 2801 Cherokee St. They have also likely seen a sign directing their hungry tummies to owner Hilario Vargas’ second location, La Vallesana 2, across the street.
Now, Vargas has informed The Scoop that the temporary move is due to a renovation he’s making to the cheap eats stop that he opened in 2003. When La Vallesana re-opens in mid-May, patrons will notice quite a few changes. In addition to major structural changes made to the building, customers will be happy to see seated table dining (though stand-and-eat counters will stay), and the back-of-the-house staff will give an enthusiastic olé to an overhauled kitchen.
This is just stage one for Vargas. Once the project is completed, Vargas will get to work moving his La Vallesana 2 from its current location at 2818 Cherokee St, to 2811 Cherokee St. (formerly occupied by Economic Stop), effectively putting his two restaurants next door to one another. La Vallesana 2 has specialized in paletas, house-made Mexican popsicles, and ice cream since opening in 2005.
The original La Vallesana, parked at the corner of Cherokee and California streets, boasts what is likely the best place for outdoor eating among the Mexican business stretch of Cherokee. When phase two is complete at the end of the year, patrons will not only be able to take their Mexican fare outside to La Vallesana’s patio on the east with its shade-giving pergola, but also to a patio that is set to be built on the west side. The idea: to be an all-in-one stop for tacos y paletas.
Vargas told The Scoop in his native Spanish that, sporting a perked-up plaza, he hopes to become the Ted Drewes of Mexican ice cream and popsicles. Ándale!
This article appears in February 2011.