El Adobe

About the Business

Specialties

El Adobe de Capistrano est. 1948 Mexican cuisine at it's finest in the heart of San Juan Capistrano. The restaurant site has been recognized as a California State Historical Landmark. Situated just two short blocks south of the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano and the Train Depot.

History

Established in 1948.

The building was originally two separate structures. The northern section was originally the home of Miguel Yorba Adobe, built in 1797. The southern half housed the Juzgado (court and jails) and was established in 1812. The walls forming El Adobe's cocktail lounge were part of the original Miguel Yorba Adobe. The wine cellar is now housed in the Juzgado's dungeon-like cell. The ground beneath the foyer served as a passageway for Seeley & Wright stagecoaches, until the advent to the Santa Fe Railroad in 1888. In 1910, Georgia Mott Vander-Leck bought and unified the properties for use as their residence and store. Thirty-six years later she sold it to a visionary farmer from the Rancho Mission Viejo, Mr. Clarence Brown. Brown built the El Adobe restaurant, which opened auspiciously on July 8, 1948. El Adobe is now own and operated by managing partner Steve Nordeck, Tony Moiso, and Gilbert Aguirre.