As Miguel’s Jr. celebrates its golden anniversary, let’s rewind the clock and relive the flavorful journey that transformed one family’s dream into a Southern California institution.
It all began on July 2, 1973, when Mike and Maria Vasquez opened the original Miguel’s at 1703 West Sixth Street in Corona. Named after Mike’s grandfather, the restaurant moved into a building with colorful history—originally constructed as a winery for Prestige Winery in 1964, then transferred to San Antonio Winery a year later to cover debts.
The location saw a few culinary misfires before Miguel’s found its footing: Comida Linda opened in 1966 and lasted three years, followed by The Chili Pepper in 1969, which held on for four.
Then came Miguel’s—and something just clicked. The restaurant’s heavy wooden doors evoked the building’s winery roots, while by the late ’70s, its signature yuccas and fortress-like cacti turned heads. Inside, cozy booths and a hidden-away bathroom next to the kitchen gave it an insider feel—a hometown haven with sizzling flavors and warm welcomes.
Just 20 months after opening Miguel’s, the Vasquez family doubled down. On February 28, 1975, Miguel’s Jr. opened its doors. It was a gamble—especially at a location, 1039 West Sixth Street, that had already seen two fast-food Mexican concepts flame out. But this time was different. Armed with Mary’s recipes and a community of loyal fans, Miguel’s Jr. quickly won over locals with its quick-serve style, great portions, and its addicting homemade salsa.
Interestingly, the address itself carried weighty history. Decades earlier, it was home to W.M. “Murle” Colbern, a contractor and former Mayor of Corona whose father, Charles, also served as mayor in the 1920s. The property would later host everything from a family rental to Walter’s Realty in the mid-60s.
Fast-forward to 1968, and a new building permit appeared: a drive-thru Tex-Mex spot called Taco Flats, constructed for $28,500. With locations in Rialto, Fontana, and Corona, Taco Flats opened to modest buzz. Taco Flats or tostadas didn’t quite catch on, by 1970, ads touted “new management” and slashed prices—and trouble was clearly brewing. Then came Wacky Tacos in late 1971, which brought quirky ads but didn’t win local hearts (or stomachs).
And that’s when the Vasquez’s stepped in.
They took a chance on a twice-failed drive-thru, added their homemade salsa magic—and the rest is bean-and-cheese burrito history.
By the late 1990s, changes for the Miguel’s full-service restaurant came knocking again. The Toyota dealership next door needed space, and the city brokered the original Miguel’s closure in 1997. But that didn’t stop the momentum. In October 2000, a new full-service Miguel’s opened on Frontage Road at Via Josefa. Though freeway expansions and a buried off-ramp hid it from view, loyal guests followed. When Mike Vasquez passed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the family made a heartfelt decision to close the Frontage Road location.
Today, the Dos Lagos restaurant in Corona proudly carries the Miguel’s name while Miguel’s Jr. thrives with 23 locations across Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties—all still 100% family-owned.
A throwback column from the Corona Daily Independent in February 1975 captured it best: local columnist Greg Enriquez compared Miguel’s Jr.’s early ambition to that of Carl Karcher (of Carl’s Jr. fame). While their paths diverged, one thing is true—Miguel’s Jr. carved its own legacy, one burrito at a time.
Here’s to 50 years of flavor, family, and food made with heart—and to the next generation of salsa-loving dreamers.
Wes Speake, Corona Historic Preservation Society
