El Paragua Restaurant

El Paragua is in Española, about a half-hour north of Santa Fe started as a taco stand in 1958. It was run by brothers Lorenzo and Pedro Atencio, then aged 10 and 12. They sold their mother's homemade tacos and tamales on the town's main street, shaded by a colorful beach umbrella. This summer business was so successful that in 1966 their parents, Luis and Frances Atencio made it a full-time venture. The tack room in their historic home became the El Paragua. The restaurant, now run by Luis and Frances' nine children, offers fresh food prepared from Frances' original recipes coupled with friendly service. The name, Spanish for "umbrella," comes from the one used at the original enterprise. The stand's original offering, beef tacos remains their signature dish. The extensive menu also features lamb, steak and seafood. Prices are a bit higher than some NM restaurants.