This establishment has its own historical story. In 1932, Jose and Elvira Granados (Don Chuy’s parents)
originally built and operated this establishment for ten years as a mom & pop grocery store, and named it "La Tiendita"
(The Little Store). This little market was one of two grocery stores that serviced the first settling families of Eden Gardens.
La Tiendita gave credit to the families of Eden Gardens and the field workers of Rancho Santa Fe, which accounts were settled
at the end of each week. The meats and cheeses that customers purchased were custom cut and hand wrapped; raw beans and rice
were kept in barrels so customers could serve themselves. Customers were well supplied with fresh fruits, vegetables, canned
goods, and much more. Hot, fresh tortillas were supplied from a tortilleria in the Logan Heights area of San Diego, and fresh
cheeses from Los Angeles.
La Tiendita was also a meeting place where friends could catch up on the latest news and gossip.
In 1943 Jesus "Chuy" Cuellar Granados took over La Tiendita from his father and re-named it "Granados Market"
which he operated for another 29 years. As Eden Gardens grew, so did the town of Solana Beach. The big chain supermarkets
began to dominate the area. The Granados Market closed its doors in 1970. In 1971, within months of closing, the building
was leased and became alive again with a new look, and thus, the "Market Café" restaurant was created. For
another 25 years the Market Café became very popular among the locals and university students. But it too closed its
doors of service.
This little place was not ready to retire. The Granados family decided to renovate it in order to
give it a new look and re-open it. At this point we were very honored to re-name the restaurant after our father/grandfather
whom we love and adore, "DON CHUY". The suffix "DON" meaning a proper and respectful way of stating "SIR"
in Spanish, and the name "CHUY" is short for Jesus.
This is the place to dine and enjoy the best authentic
Mexican home-style cuisine from all parts of Mexico. Our menu offers an enormous variety of mouth-watering dishes. We take
pride in our "make as you order" specialties. What would Eden Gardens be without "DON CHUY"?
