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    Back to Good Food

    Good Food

    Taco Tycoon Larry Cano

    Larry Cano is the founder of El Torito . In 1954 he took over Bali Hai , a tiki bar in Encino, and turned it into a Mexican restaurant. There, Cano says, he invented what we know now as the blended margarita.

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    By Evan Kleiman • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Larry Cano is the founder of El Torito. In 1954 he took over Bali Hai, a tiki bar in Encino, and turned it into a Mexican restaurant. There, Cano says, he invented what we know now as the blended margarita. He also lays claim to the expression "Taco Tuesday," and was one of the first restaurants to host happy hour, Mexican brunch, table-side guacamole and the sizzling fajita plate.

    Music: "Tequila" by The Champs

    The full episode

    4 of 8
    Cinco de Mayo Special: How the Taco Conquered America
    1. 0:00Market Report
    2. 5:11Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America
    3. 9:37Cielito Lindo and the Birth of the Taco
    4. 14:48Taco Tycoon Larry CanoYou’re reading this
    5. 20:36Taking the Taco to the Masses: Taco Bell
    6. 33:19The Quest for Authenticity
    7. 40:07Gringo Bandito
    8. 49:15Mexican Food in LA, 1984 to Present Day
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan Kleiman

      host 'Good Food'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Gustavo Arellano

      columnist, LA Times

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Gillian Ferguson

      Supervising Producer, Good Food

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Laryl Garcia

      Senior Director, Good Food

    • KCRW placeholder

      Harriet Ells

      Program Director for Talk

      CultureFood & Drink

    The full episode

    4 of 8
    Cinco de Mayo Special: How the Taco Conquered America
    1. 0:00Market Report
    2. 5:11Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America
    3. 9:37Cielito Lindo and the Birth of the Taco
    4. 14:48Taco Tycoon Larry CanoYou’re reading this
    5. 20:36Taking the Taco to the Masses: Taco Bell
    6. 33:19The Quest for Authenticity
    7. 40:07Gringo Bandito
    8. 49:15Mexican Food in LA, 1984 to Present Day
    Back to Good Food