History of Miguel's and Miguel's Jr.

Miguel's Restaurant was founded in 1973 by Mike and Mary Vasquez in Corona, California. Mike was born in Arizona and was raised in San Bernardino, California. He was by trade a carpenter working on constructing restaurants and private homes throughout Southern California. Mary was raised in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico. In her years before marrying Mike, she worked as a bookkeeper for a local restaurant in her hometown.

In 1964 Mike and Mary were married and established their home in San Bernardino, California. Their first child, Michael, was born in 1965 followed by Carol, in 1967, Sylvia in 1968, and Javier in 1974. Mike and Mary opened Miguel's in July 1973 in Corona, California while living San Bernardino. In 1974 before their last child was born, the Vasquez family moved from San Bernardino to Corona.

The restaurant was named in honor of Mike's grandfather, Miguel. Mike and Mary did not plan to enter the restaurant business, but happened to be given a restaurant. Mike had given a personal loan to a family friend who operated a restaurant in Corona named Chile Pepper. The family friend was unable to repay the loan and Mike was given the restaurant as payment. Mike and Mary both had no experience with operating a restaurant, however, they had extensive knowledge of the kitchen on how to cook. Mike was experienced in constructing restaurants and Mary brought her knowledge of bookkeeping and customer service. At first, the restaurant was not doing well and Mike was forced to continue to work construction during the daytime and help with the restaurant at night and on weekends. Mary continued to raise her children while managing Miguel's.

Shortly after opening Miguel's, Mike fell ill and was unable to work for six months. After that difficult time, business improved and Mike was able to devote his full attention to Miguel's. Although business was improving, Mike and Mary felt that a fast-food location would do better than a full-service restaurant. In 1975 they bought a fast-food restaurant located two miles from the current Miguel's and named it Miguel's Jr.

Miguel's Jr. was an immediate success. It was so successful that Mike and Mary were going to close Miguel's, but it also began to improve and they decided to keep it open. Business was doing well, and in 1981 Miguel's Jr. expanded to Fontana, California. Three years later Miguel's Jr. opened a location in Grand Terrace, California, with a partner. Not until 1991 did Miguel's Jr. expand to Riverside at the Galleria at Tyler. Less than a year later another Miguel's Jr. was opened in Corona. Remarkably, Mike and Mary have three restaurants, Miguel's and two Miguel's Jr., within two miles of each other. In 1998 Miguel's Jr. expanded to Norco.

The original Miguel's opened in 1973 lost its lease in 1997. Mike and Mary decided to relocate Miguel's within the City of Corona. After more then three years of planning and construction, the new location opened in October 11, 2000. The new Miguel's has improved facilities with a full service cantina.

Orange County got its first taste of a Corona legend in the summer of 2004 with the opening of Miguel’s California Mexican Cocina in Foothill Ranch. This newest location carries on the excellent name of Miguel’s by providing great tasting food and treating people like neighbors. Miguel’s California Mexican Cocina also boasts a full service cantina with an extensive selection of premium tequilas. Miguel’s, it’s different and unique, yet still embraces the traditional. A perfect place for families and for celebrating.