Casita del Campo to Show Off LA

(Gerry Furth-Sides) Where to take a visiting Covid nurse to eat authentic, historic food and show off LA at the same time? Casita de Campo and favorite area sites was a natural choice. The patio was relaxing and lively at the same time because of attentive to-go staff and the beautiful plants and fountain. The patio is once again open for dining with protocols in place.

Following a filling, fantastic lunch of Mexican dishes, came a tour of the Silverlake Reservoir and the Griffith Park Observatory before a ride cross town home. I found the “steepest street” off Glendale Boulevard to the reservoir and it is a breathtaking view from the top — nurse Ashley was not impressed! I was happy to walk off lunch with a mile and a half walk!

 The original recipes and cooking practices have stayed the same since the day the restaurant opened 57 years ago. Every morning, fresh vegetables are chopped for the tasty salsa, the guacamole and chips all made fresh daily as evident in the enormous amount of food carried out from the kitchen. The new vegan menu items such as the tacos and fajitas, already popular with customers, reflect the current health-conscious times and neighborhood’s gentrification.

This Silverlake neighborhood has always been the ideal location for Casita Del Campo.  it was true when the sleepy, artistic area housed Disney staffers and when it became the culturally diverse bohemian equivalent of Greenwich Village in New York and Hyde Park in Chicago.  Locals, such as six of us neighbors, frequented the place at least one weekly.  It was one of our favorite Newsweek staff hangouts, and I remember even to this day trying to nonchalantly “walk” to the door after two margaritas. These days,

It naturally follows that Rudy Martin Del Campo, a dancer from West Side Story, opened sunny, welcoming  Casita Del Campo as a gathering place for his industry friends.  The unique venue that used to be a house continues to feel like his legacy with film photos and original art pieces in every room.  

Nina’s son, Robert Martin Del Campo, is the current proud owner along with his wife, Gina Martin Del Campo. Gina, an artist who studied at UCLA, created all the stunning stained-glass patio tables.

Some of the frequent customers even refer to the tables they want to sit at as the name of the picture when the restaurant was open.

We miss the colorful, warm art indoors, and look forward to having it back. she recreated on them, including Frida Kahlo, well known Diego Rivera paintings and portraits from the famed Mexican bingo game, Loteria. These creations bring life to the outdoor patios, a vibe that has truly remained the same as the day it opened.

The Del Campo family would like to continue to sustain this “landmark” for “100 more years” and keep it in their family forever to continue to serve this loving community and family they have created here in Silverlake. We toast to that.

Casita Del Campo is open for take out and delivery. For more information please visit www.CasitaDelCampo.net or call 323.662.4255. The address is 1920 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027.