Next Generation Marius Taix and Marius Taix Jr. of Les Freres Taix French Restaurant

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) Second generation Michael Taix is credited with transforming the landmark continental era restaurant back to Le Frere Taix’s original French roots, and has been successful at attracting a wide-range of customers from long-time customers and business executives from 11:30 a.m. into happy hour at 5 p.m., to families during dinner hour.  

The Taix Family is the third and fourth generation of sheepherders and bakers from the “Hautes-Alpes” in southeastern France that moved to Los Angeles around 1870. In 1912 Marius Taix Sr. built a hotel called the Champ d’Or in downtown Los Angeles’ French quarter, which was located on 321 Commercial Street, and included a hotel restaurant subleased to a tenant, which was relinquished to the Taix’s when the restaurant was forbidden to serve alcohol during the prohibition period.

In 1927, Marius Taix Jr. first opened Les Freres Taix French restaurant within the hotel, serving chicken dinners for 50 cents at long “family-style” tables. Diners could choose private booth service for an extra quarter. Taix’s novel food, unique service and affordable prices have made it a Los Angeles institution.

In 1962, the present location, located on Sunset Boulevard, east of Hollywood in Echo Park, opened and was owned and operated by Raymond and Pierre Taix, sons of Marius Taix Jr., and uncles John Narp and  Louis Sangouard. Taix remained true to its French roots until the 1970s, when the restaurant experimented with a continental-themed menu. In the mid 80s, Michael Taix, son of Raymond Taix, began contributing to the management of the restaurant, and through time, became owner operator.

  “The resurgence of Echo Park in the 2000s really helped extend our reach beyond locals to attract the younger, indie music crowd, and local Gen-X and Gen Y hipsters” said Michael Taix, Owner, Taix French Restaurant. I created the late night menu for them, which is served in the restaurant’s lounge from 11p.m. to 1 p.m.

 Most recently, Mike teamed up with French Chef Laurent Quenioux, aka “LQ,” who  was one of the founders of the L.A. French scene in the 1980s, and founded 7th street bistro, serving groundbreaking French Nouvelle California cuisine. Together, Mike and LQ revisit Taix’s menu and fine tune dishes for micro improvements.

 “People say they don’t want change, but deep down inside they always appreciate something new that’s still presented in an old school manner,” said Mike. “Of late, I’ve worked hard to bring back traditional, old country French cuisine–lots of classic game fare such as beef tongue, oxtail, and lamb shanks. In fact, we were one of the first in town to serve short ribs in 1980. I call it ‘imperceptible change,’ where even the most frequent patron wouldn’t notice a difference, but the change is in there just enough to keep them coming back for more.”

 The Taix Family are the third and fourth generations of a family of sheepherders and bakers from the “Hautes-Alpes” in southeastern France who immigrated to Los Angeles around 1870. In 1912 Marius Taix Sr. built a hotel called the Champ d’Or in downtown Los Angeles’ French quarter. In 1927, Marius Taix Jr. opened Taix French restaurant within the hotel serving chicken dinners for 50 cents at long “family-style” tables. Diners could choose private booth service for an extra quarter. Taix’s novel food, unique service and affordable prices make it a Los Angeles institution.

Taix French Restaurant located at 1911 W. Sunset Boulevard, in Los Angeles’ Echo Park neighborhood, opened in 1962 and continues to be a family affair. Taix French Restaurant remains faithful to the famed tureen of soup, fresh french bread, and abundant portions of French country cuisine at affordable prices.

The restaurant dynasty carried on by Marius’ son, Raymond Taix and currently by his son Michael, whose passion for wines has resulted in an extensive, award winning wine list. Taix Restaurant is proud of its’ vintage staff; many can boast of serving more than three generations. 

For more information about Taix French Restaurant, please visit //taixfrench.com.


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