Mexican Food and Family Recipes in Reno
El Adobe Cafe is a Mexican restaurant in Reno serving family recipes passed down through three generations. Fresh meats and vegetables are delivered daily, and our kitchen prepares sauces, salsas, chips, and dishes featuring chicken, beef, pork, and fish by hand. We use no canned ingredients, boxed foods, packaged spice mixes, or lard.
Our menu offers a variety of Mexican dishes. The cantina has a full bar with more than 50 tequilas, along with refreshing margaritas.
How Raul and Abel Started El Adobe Cafe
Raul grew up in an adobe house in San Jose de los Marquez, Jalisco, and was the fifth of thirteen children. At 18, he came to the United States with the goal of buying a car. He first worked for Two Guys from Italy in Los Angeles. When the company opened another restaurant in Reno on Moana Lane and South Virginia Street, Raul became its head chef, a role he held for 11 years.
Raul later spent a year at Bally’s Steakhouse and also worked as a waiter at Bertha Miranda’s. In the 1990s, he worked at Famous Murphy’s. On February 24, 2000, Raul and Abel started their own business, and Raul chose the name El Adobe Cafe.
Building El Adobe Cafe in Reno
The building that became El Adobe Cafe had previously housed Polly Ann Bakery and the Gable Roof Cafe. Raul put in the floors, booths, and an extension to the bar area, drawing on his experience with tools and kitchen equipment. His four sons—Javier, Matthias, Leonardo, and Sergio—also worked in the restaurant during their teenage years.
El Adobe Cafe has received awards and thanks the community for its support. The restaurant looks forward to continuing to serve its Reno community, families, and friends.
