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May 8, 2008
Lunch in Vernon? Check out La Villa Basque
Reader Apollo Sputnik was down in Vernon and happened upon this treasure. Thankfully, he shared with us so we could share with you:
"I was happy to discover La Villa Basque in the middle of industrial Vernon. I have never seen a better kept mid-century diner. They're only open for lunch during the week -- but it's worth the effort... The place is full of a cast of characters -- I passed by a 70+ lady, wearing smudged make-up and a 2-foot high beehive hair-do. Most of the patrons seemed to be business men of the area.
"The owner, Vernon mayor Leonis C. Malburg also owns the building next door. He's been on the city council since the Eisenhower administration. His grandfather founded the city of Vernon."
La Villa Basque
2801 Leonis Blvd
Vernon, CA 90058
(323) 583-1696
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What a super cool retro looking place!!!
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Flickr user jericl cat also has a very nice photo set of La Villa Basque. It's quite a place.
La Villa Basque is a significant location in the civic politics of Vernon, a city with the motto "Exclusively industrial since 1905".
Its owner, Leonis C. Malburg, is the Mayor of Vernon, and grandson of one of the town's founders, John B. Leonis. (jericl cat has a photo of the restaurant's historical plaque.)
A 2006 New York Times story, To Outsiders, a Town Seems a Cartel by Any Other Name, has more background on the somewhat curious political situation.
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aww i miss this place soo much!
the staff is super nice and eventually it feels like they're part of your family. There's this one old couple that goes there all the time at exactly 11:15/30 (can't remember) and they always have the shrimp cocktails. Apparently they've been going there for over 20 years. Next time you go ask one of the waitress to tell you about the old lady in black.
Also, you must try their bacon cheeseburger, it's divine
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oh and duh, i should have read the story before I jumped onto the comments. I was talking about the same old lady with the smudge make-up.
You should definately read more about the mayor and his family. They have quite the story.