La Casita Restaurant was founded by Mrs. Bertha Banda in the early 1960’s.In the mid 1950’s she came to El Paso from Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, as a migrantworker. She made and sold burritos to her fellow workers.

Mrs. Banda later began working at Moe’s Restaurant where she learned the restaurant business. It was after that time she began La Casita at its first location at the corner of Cotton Street and Olive. During that time she would serve the lunch crowds from the surrounding businesses including Billy the Kid-Hortex and the El Paso Trolleys which ran along the electric rails to Downtown. There were times when she would cook, waitress and cashier all in a day’s work. The second La Casita location was at 1600 Wyoming.

The current eastside location was established by Mrs. Banda and sons. She handled the register and welcomed customers with a genuine smile while wearing her bightky colored Mexican dresses, flowers, in her hair and beautiful earrings. With her hard work, she set the example for all who worked at La Casita. Some who worked with Mrs. Banda in the 70’s are still with La Casita today. La Casita’s success derives from the delicious recipes that were part of Mrs. Banda’s collection. The tradition of serving great Mexican food accompanied by a friendly and family oriented atmosphere continues today.

We thank her for her deicated work and ethics and she is remembered and missed be all her children.

Blanca, George, Christina, Leonel, and Arturo.