Cinco de Mayo at a Valley Icon: Casa Vega Happy Hour & Lotería Game
Details
Take a look 👁️
LA in a Minute
https://youtube.com/shorts/f2xPd3jMD4g?si=y7Ei_Njn60m0RZDB
New Patio
https://youtu.be/A1FKzSEt9V0?si=WxNggS0_daSiZVk9
Scene from “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C96I4iqvyja/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Please kindly confirm your attendance by making your $6 RSVP within 12-hours (new change). See payment info below. Your contribution will be distributed as follows: $2 to $3 towards the fee Organizers are required to pay annually to Meetup and $3 towards prizes including a cash win towards tacos! See payment info below.
TIME FOR A FUN FIESTA! 💃🏻🇲🇽 🌮🍹
MENU
https://www.casavega.com/pages/taco-tuesday
WHAT TO WEAR:
Ideas:
• Mexican dress (peasant-style/floral)
• Mexican blouse (peasant-style/floral)
• Mexican scarf or shawl (anything colorful)
• Mexican sarape
• Mexican sombrero
• Mexican flower hair band (like the ones you wear for Dia de Los Muertos)
• Mexican jewelry (turquoise or colorful)
CASA VEGA - established in 1956
My T-O-P PICK for celebrating Cinco de Mayo in 2026. Legendary Casa Vega celebrates their 70th Anniversary this year. Viva Casa Vega!! Viva México!!
Iconic Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles, spanning decades of history, include legendary staples like Casa Vega (1956), El Coyote (1931), and El Cholo (1923), famous for their classic dishes and old-school Hollywood charm. They offer an authentic taste of LA's deep Mexican culinary roots.
What makes Casa Vega extra special is their newly remodeled beautiful large open space patio. Check out my photos. We are very fortunate to get a reservation for this day. I thought far ahead and personally drove out there when online reservations were still not being accepted. Reservation for 10 (larger parties require a prix-fixe menu).
Casa Vega is the most celebrity-driven of these three legendary Mexican restaurants. It is renowned for its dark, intimate atmosphere, making it a long-time favorite for celebrities seeking privacy.
Famous Regulars & Notable Patrons:
Quentin Tarantino: Filmed “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” here, and has a cocktail named "The Tarantino". Scene with Brad Pitt & Leonardo DiCaprio.
George Clooney: Known to frequent the restaurant, which often stocks his Casamigos tequila.
Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez and the Kardashian’s: Often spotted dining in the dim, private booths.
Marlon Brando: Lived nearby and was one of the restaurant's earliest celebrity regulars along with Rock Hudson, Cary Grant and Michael Jackson who lived nearby in Encino in the 1980’s.
Other Frequent Celebs: Amy Adams, Matt Damon, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Cameron Diaz, Megan Fox, Miley Cyrus, and Dr. Dre.
Ladies Who Adore Vintage focuses on both education and socialization. You always get the history of the places we go and the things that we do. This sets us apart from most other Meetup groups.
## The Legacy of Casa Vega
## In 1956, a young and ambitious Rafael “Ray” Vega opened Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks. At just 22 years old, Ray took a leap of faith, transforming his dream into a reality. Coming from a family rooted in hospitality—his parents owned the famous Café Caliente on Olvera Street—Ray brought his Mexican heritage to the San Fernando Valley, creating a warm and vibrant space where authentic flavors and heartfelt service came together.
For decades, Ray nurtured Casa Vega with unwavering dedication, turning it into more than just a restaurant—it became a cultural institution. He passed down his values of hard work, hospitality, and the importance of family to his daughter, Maria Christina “Christy” Vega, who grew up immersed in the rhythms of the business.
Casa Vega quickly became a beloved community hub, attracting families, friends, and even Hollywood celebrities.
$6 RSVP
All of our holiday “Celebrating” events are always fun-spirited theme events which include games, prizes and treats! Come join our Cinco de Mayo fiesta!!
$6 PayPal, Venmo or Zelle (NOT if waitlisted) to reserve your dining spot. NOTE: Fee is NOT refundable and NOT eligible for re-sale. If you need to cancel immediately update to “not going”.
Payment contact provided upon RSVP. This gives everyone a fair opportunity to join events especially when there’s a waitlist.
AT TIME OF PAYMENT INDICATE: Casa Vega
NOTIFICATIONS-ON ARE REQUIRED
It is YOUR responsibility to be aware if you were moved off the waitlist.
HISTORY OF LOTERIA
Short explanation how to play
https://youtu.be/QbAuUVe0W9c?si=04IyCl0NQHQdjN5i
(https://youtu.be/QbAuUVe0W9c?si=04IyCl0NQHQdjN5i)
In-depth history of the game dating back to the 15th Century and how to play (13 minute video) https://youtu.be/npxfphuAbYU?si=EgOtSwU_n_ndjHCg (https://youtu.be/npxfphuAbYU?si=EgOtSwU_n_ndjHCg)
THE 20 MOST FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF CINCO DE MAYO
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/g19854264/cinco-de-mayo-history/
MEXICAN LOTERÍA (Bingo)
Did you know that the game Lotería was first created in Italy? Its origins are not Mexican as everyone believes! Another misconception like believing Cinco de Mayo is Independence Day!
The game originated in Italy in the 15th century and was brought to New Spain (modern Mexico) in 1769. In the beginning, lotería was a hobby of the upper classes, but eventually it became a tradition at Mexican fairs.
Players will quickly realize, how much more visually and intellectually engaging and fun it is to play Lotería than American Bingo. The true authentic way to play Lotería is to have the announcer (cantor) give an improvised short poem or familiar phrase alluding to the image on the card. Example: “The coat for the poor” for the image of the sun, or “The one who dies by the mouth” for the image of the fish. The true way to play is far more challenging and engaging. But we will keep it simple and play the “gringo” version. Get ready for a lot of laughter!!
Each player uses a chip (often a bean) to mark the corresponding spot on their tabla. The first player to appropriately fill the tabla in a predefined pattern will shout “Lotería!” to win the game & prize!!
MEETUP POLICY 🔺No drop-ins. RSVP Meetup members only 🔺 3 under 24-hr cancellations/3-months out 🔺 3 failures to pay (fee events)/6-months out 🔺 2 no-shows/1-year out 🔺 Excessive cancellations perm.