The original location of Burrito King, an iconic Los Angeles-based Mexican food chain, appears to have closed after more than 50 years in operation. A photo shared on Reddit shows the interior of the Echo Park shop, situated at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and North Alvarado Street, completely gutted.
"Ownership has been in limbo for a few years, but I walked by today and noticed it was now fully empty," the Reddit post stated. The original outpost opened in 1968, and founder Julian E. Montoya eventually expanded the chain to more than 20 locations across Southern California, as well as in Houston and Bogota, Colombia.
By the early 2000s, Burrito King faced increased competition from national chains and other independent restaurants. In 2003, only two locations remained: the Echo Park site and one in Silver Lake, which closed in 2011. The original location has been available for lease multiple times in recent years. The closure has drawn nostalgic comments from former patrons and employees, with many expressing sadness over the loss of the long-standing establishment.