About El Faro

El Faro in Summit was established in 1981. Over the years we’ve served generations of families with classics like burritos, tortas, and tacos—plus the weekend favorites you look forward to.

El Faro 2 opened in Riverside on November 13th, 2019, expanding the experience with a larger dining room, table service, and an expanded menu unique to that location.

Jose Zavala Hernandez, a native of Mexico City, Mexico, possessed an innate entrepreneurial spirit. From a young age, he delved into the restaurant business, selling tacos on the vibrant streets of Mexico City. In 1978, he embarked on a journey to achieve the American Dream and established a modest eatery named Los Portales in 1979. In 1980, seizing an opportunity, he took over a restaurant called El Faro near 31st and Pulaski. With a growing family, he enlisted the help of his children, turning the venture into a family affair. Just a year later, he expanded his entrepreneurial endeavors by opening another El Faro in Summit, transforming it into a 24-hour burrito hotspot with a menu resembling the one we enjoy today. Though he had to part ways with the 31st street El Faro, the restaurant retained its name. Tragically, in 1989, he passed away, leaving behind two thriving businesses, eleven children, and a devoted wife. Today, his legacy lives on through the capable hands of his eldest son, Pablo