El Adobe-Hollywood Style

Founders

Lucy's Cafe El Adobe, Hollywood, CA

Lucy’s Cafe El Adobe in Hollywood, California is more than just a great Mexican restaurant for the Who’s Who of tinsel town. Catering to the tastes of the famous and not-yet famous, the powerful and not-yet powerful alike, takes a lot more than just wonderful food, a favorable location and a dedicated team of employees. For almost 34 years, Lucy’s has stood the test of time and become home to some of the world’s best known dreamers.

“My dream was to have a place where everyone was welcome, where the food was fresh and handmade, the prices reasonable and the customers were genuinely cared for as if they were family,” states Lucy with pride.

One of her regular customers, gifted songwriter and musician J.D. Souther has known Lucy since the late 60’s. During that time, he played with a couple of up-and-coming musicians, Don Henley and Glenn Frey as well as with Linda Ronstadt. “Just look up there at the photographs on Lucy’s wall. Each of them is an individual dream. The wall of dreams,” says J.D.

Lucy recalls, “One of the funny things that happened as I set out to realize my dream was that of all the other dreamers I encountered. For example... when the young man entered the outer reaches of a future dimension and found it wondrous, he did his best to bring it into focus for others. It was my friend, Gene Roddenberry who created the television show, Star Trek, right across the street at Desilu Studios. We were two soul mates, both born in El Paso, Texas, who journeyed to Hollywood in search of our own individual dreams. Our paths crossed in 1964 right here on Melrose Avenue.”

“In the early years I grew up in a warm family and community, where everyone knew and protected each other. My father died when I was young and I became an adult very early on. I knew that we would all have to chip in and help my mother maintain our humble three-room house.”

“I had wanted to become a doctor but there simply wasn’t the money to send me to medical school. A few years after graduation, I moved to Los Angeles, where I stayed with relatives. Soon after, I met my beloved late husband, Frank Casado. We courted, then married and had three great children, Patricia, Frank James and Darryl. Our third child is retarded and autistic. He is very special to our family. When he was little, maybe four or five, he couldn’t talk but he would chant. I used to call him, my little Dalai Lama. My observations of him have given me a tremendous insight into people. Darryl has opened up a lot of my own awareness and personal development. Yes, he is my spiritual teacher.”

Meanwhile, back to the restaurant, which began as a one room operation, continued to grow. And unknowingly at the time, more people were fed and more dreams were realized.

Lucy reflects, “Among the dreamers, was a young poet-songwriter from Oklahoma who arrived in Hollywood. Having recently buried his mother, and with only $10 in his pocket, he became a close friend to our El Adobe family. His name...Jimmy Webb, whose hit songs made him a millionaire by the age of 21.”

“Then, there was the good-looking stage-hand who worked long, hard days at the studio down the street, now known as Raleigh Studios. “Field of Dreams” star Kevin Costner still considers Lucy’s to be his good-luck charm.”

“A young attorney found a sympathetic ear and followed in his father’s footsteps. Yes, Edmund “Jerry” Brown, Jr., urged the people to protect the earth, explore the universe and remind us that less is more. Jerry was like my fourth son at El Adobe.”

“Young singer-songwriters dreamed of hearing their music on the radio, driving a fast car and meeting the girl of their dreams. Little did they know that their efforts would be forever known worldwide as the California Sound. Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Neil Young would soon hear their music on the radio, drive the fast car and get the girl!”

Frank and Lucy mean a lot more to their countless Californian customers than simply as the owners of a favorite restaurant. Frank has repeatedly shown himself to be a shrewd adviser, a prophetic confidant and a loyal friend.

“Frank was my best friend. Together, we encouraged Cesar Chavez to create a union for the farm workers, who were earning 50 cents an hour at the time. We supported MUSE, Rock the Vote, Operation California and Hands Across America. Together, we alerted the staid politicians of a new force to be considered. They were the wealthy, well-known musicians, and their millions of fans who could vote, financially support them, and endorse the politicians who were environmentally conscious. Some of these groups were started right here over margaritas and quesadillas,” Lucy says.

“My dear Tibetan monks, who journeyed to the West, with the hopes of enlightening the world to the destruction of their homeland by China have been my guests at the restaurant since 1989. One of my favorite projects has been the youth Peace Mandala. The monks taught troubled youths discipline, focus and self-expression to encourage self-discovery and expression as a means of transforming violent behavior patterns.”

“One of the high points of my life was the symposium I created to benefit the C.G. Jung Institute in Los Angeles. They were looking for innovative ways to raise money. I suggested teaming mythological scholar Joseph Campbell with Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart. The Jungians didn’t think it was possible. Loving a challenge, I called them, they both said yes. On October 12, 1980, Columbus Day, “Inner Myth/Outer Space” was born. For Campbell, the flight into space was more than technological adventure. He continually expressed his awe and his wonder at the space flight films shown by Rusty. The former astronaut had talked of seeing the world without boundaries from his perch in space. That’s the vision Joseph Campbell wants for everyone. He later wrote a book defining the new myth titled “The Inner Reaches of Outer Space.”

Lucy leaves us with her priceless wisdom, “Yes, dreams are possible. I am living proof of that statement. And, if you think that dreaming is for dreamers and not doers, I leave you with these famous words once spoken by one of our dearest customers.”

“Some men see things as they are and ask why, I dream things that never were and ask, why not?”

– Robert F. Kennedy.

The next time you are in Hollywood, come on down and see the wall of dreams. Sit back and imagine yourself up there. Someday.

Resource Information:
Lucy’s Cafe El Adobe Restaurant