The Original Casa Molina

CASA MOLINA (House of Molina) is that kind of rare establishment that is authentic and the best of its kind. Marked by the statue of El Toro, the Brave Black Bull, and a hand-painted glass sign of a matador, its softly aging adobe walls enclose pure Mexico for the aficionado.

Once inside the door, you will be graciously met by one of the Molina family…from this moment on, all of our services will be at your disposal. Here you are supreme! Casa Molina has extended every courtesy to our guests since we first opened in 1947, with a seating capacity of 16. Now we can accommodate over 300 in comfort.

In our entry, you find a stone fireplace. Above the fireplace note the ceramic plaque of Guadalupe (the saint whose vision was seen in ancient Mexico…below a candle will always be found burning!

It’s now time to be seated in one of the three dining rooms or the outdoor patio. Should you prefer just cocktails, you may want to be seated in our quiet lounge, The Cantina. With the lights at a minimum, you will soon find yourself in complete relaxation. Here is the perfect place for a tempting cocktail made with tequila, which is the distilled juice of the Mexican cactus. It’s refreshing!

Of the dining rooms, the outdoor patio is the favorite. Here you dine under the stars in a truly exotic setting. Soon forgotten is the fact that a city awaits you outside these quiet walls. Native costumed waiters and waitresses serve you graciously, explaining the various Mexican dishes if you are new to the cuisine.

As you become aware of your surroundings, you notice that the walls glow with jewel-like spots of color…those are Mexican plates of transparent glass mounted on the walls and lighted from behind. You see a fountain of stone with water cooly bubbling in the center of the patio. One end of the patio is covered by a ramada (shelter) made of the ribs of a giant saguaro cactus, dried and bleached in the sun. This is truly outdoor dining at its best! the Redondo (round) room is extraordinary, indeed! Shaped in a perfect circle you will find dining here most pleasant. Note the beamed ceiling covered with saguaro ribs. The ceiling lamps, made of hand-wrought copper, are imported from Mexico and add charm to an already beautiful room. Like the patio and all of Casa Molina, you feel as though Mexico is right outside the door. The other two dining rooms remind you of a friendly home across the border. The furniture is custom made by Gilbert Molina, Sr., from hand-hewn native mesquite tree forks and pine slabs. On the wall are large handpainted plates and chacharros (pots) made of baked clay. Should you be in Mexico, these are the types of pots you would see women cooking in.

Speaking of cooking, the kitchen doors at Casa Molina are always open. You may, at any time, walkthrough and see our native chefs working their magic with exotic herbs and spices. At all times you will find our kitchen spotless and gleaming.

It’s time to leave Casa Molina. The food has been superb, the cocktails were delightful and the evening was most enjoyable. You leave with the feeling of having discovered a completely different world of pleasure…once you will return to again and again… so ‘till we meet again… Adios my Amigo!