El Cholo's Carmen Rocha Passes Away, Age 77

El Cholo has always been an important part of our family traditions...I couldn't possibly count the times I've eaten at both the Los Angeles and La Habra locations. I particularly associate eating at the Los Angeles El Cholo with our trips to see classic movies at various locations in the '70s and '80s.

I was saddened to learn that longtime waitress Carmen Rocha has passed away. Carmen and El Cholo are both such Los Angeles institutions -- she worked there for nearly four decades -- that her photo and obituary headline were published at the top of the front page of the Los Angeles Times website. This photo is from an El Cholo souvenir postcard.

Carmen is credited with introducing nachos to Los Angeles.

She spent many, many years making people's days just that much nicer. A life well lived.

Previously: Tonight's Dinner; Weekend Fun: El Cholo and the Galen Center; Southern California Restaurant News.