The Heart of Olvera Street
Four Generations of Authentic Mexican Comfort Food
History
Our story began in 1944, when Juana Guerrero founded Juanita's Cafe at the urging of her mother-in-law Aurora Guerrero, founder of Cielito Lindo. Throughout our long history, Juana, along with her husband Manuel and sons Manuel Jr. and Lawrence, fostered a business that has lasted over 80 years.
In the heart of historic Olvera Street, Edward, owner of Juanita's Cafe, continues to open the doors his great-grandmother left into what is more than just a restaurant. It became a second home for anyone seeking the comfort of real Mexican food made with love and a place for genuine conversation.
For over 80 years, four generations of the Flores family have carried forward her simple but powerful belief: that everyone, whether they grew up with the taste of homemade Mexican comfort food or had never experienced it before, deserved to feel the warmth of genuine hospitality and the satisfaction that only comes from meals prepared the way abuela intended.
Today, Juanita's Cafe continues that legacy, serving downtown workers who've been coming for decades alongside first-time visitors discovering what real Mexican comfort food feels like. Proving that when food is made with heart and tradition, it can make strangers feel like family.
Crafted with Tradition and Love
Juanita's Cafe isn't just one of the highest-rated restaurants on Olvera Street; it's a living piece of Los Angeles history. We've witnessed the city grow and change around us. Still, our mission has remained constant: To preserve and share the authentic flavors of traditional Mexican home cooking while fostering genuine connections within our community.
We exist to serve not just meals, but memories. Treating every guest like family and making sure that the rich culinary traditions passed down through four generations continue to thrive.
From hosting Día de los Muertos celebrations to serving downtown professionals, we've always understood that comfort food can bring people together across all boundaries.
