El Parador Closes Doors After 40 Years

John Jacobs El Parador Restaurant and Cantina announced its closure Thursday after serving Tucsonans for 40 years at 2744 East Broadway in Tucson.

Beginning in 1946 on Miracle Mile with Club 21, John Jacobs Mexican food to the Tucson community. John’s children, Loretta, Donald and Daniel, continued his legacy at El Parador. The children said in a statement released on Thursday, “We are grateful to the Lord for the continued health of our parents, John and Cecelia, at age 90. Their experience, vision, knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit guide us still today.”

The family thanked the community for placing “their trust and faith in us hosting their wonderful family celebrations. Also, special thanks to the many businesses and professional groups that met weekly and monthly at El Parador. We have enjoyed serving you, our guest; in our beautiful Tropical Garden restaurant. It is a blessing to have been a part of your lives.”

Honored as one of ‘Tucson’s Treasures’ by Arizona Highways in 2010 that said, “no other place exemplified the warmth of Tucson like El Parador… it’s floor to ceiling plants adorned with twinkle lights and beautiful 65 year old flagstone floors welcomed you each time you entered.”

The family extends their “eternal gratitude to their amazing employees. As part of our family, they held us together and we thank them for their understanding, patience and endurance… especially these past 4 years. We trust you will welcome any of our employees into your family, especially those whose commitment is so outstanding, Ruthann Molina, Julie Philcox, Alex Gutierrez and Jeannie Tucker who have invested 15 years. Crissy Arrellano 13 years, Terry Doty 11 years, Mark Noriega 10 years, Terry Forrest 10 years and Brandon Foltz 9 years.”

In closing the family writes, “Our Family thanks you and will miss you.”