LAist: Lunch in Vernon? Check out La Villa Basque

martinezste

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:45:10 -0800

please! Can someone please tell me about the old lady in black. I went there today and saw her. I'm really curious to know her story. Thanks!

anel984

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:10:53 -0800

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.

anel984

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:08:16 -0800

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

LA MapNerd

Thu, 08 May 2008 14:58:51 -0800

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.

jensaxon

Thu, 08 May 2008 14:14:45 -0800

What a super cool retro looking place!!!