It is truly the end of an era: Las Cuatro Milpas in San Bernardino is closing.
The Mexican food purveyor has fed generations over the past 54 years.
For many Inland Empire families, the shop has been the place to get tamales for the holidays, as well as menudo, tortillas and other staples, including carnitas, chicharrones, beans and masa, the rest of the year.
That all ends Saturday, Dec. 31.
The owners, Norma and Jose Munios, are retiring and are selling the building.
(The 2,320-square-foot building is selling for $749,999, if you’re interested.)
In case you want to order one last dozen tamales, you can find Las Cuatro Milpas at 856 N. Mount Vernon Ave., San Bernardino.
Hours are 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
For agave lovers
Punch Bowl Social at Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga has opened a new spot for fans of tequila and mezcal.
The Agave Room is a 90-seat mezcal and tequila lounge that’s exclusive to the Rancho Cucamonga location.
It’s the first of what the chain is calling PBS Joints, described as “a unique experience inside of Punch Bowl Social that utilizes a dedicated space to deliver an elevated food and beverage experience.”
The Agave Room offers a choice of 100 curated agave-based spirits and modern interpretations of classic Mexican dishes.
Three flight options — two mezcal and one tequila — are available and contain three one-ounce pours, alongside house-made sangrita, oranges and cumin Gusano salt.
Several unique cocktails are available, including a strawberry agua fresca ($11), featuring raicilla, strawberry cordial, coconut water, lime juice and expressed mint and a prickly pear margarita ($13), created with blanco tequila, prickly pear syrup, lime juice, orange liqueur, mezcal foam and micro mint.
Reimagined Mexican dishes include ahi tuna aguachile ($14) with charred jalapeño, cucumbers, red onion, lime juice and mint; and four tostadas, including a lobster tostada ($18), which features butter-braised lobster, mashed avocado, jalapeño mojo, cotija cheese and cilantro.
Punch Bowl Social is at 12635 North Mainstreet.
Hours for The Agave Room are 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday, 4 p.m.-midnight Wednesday, 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Mystery solved
Workers have been busy transforming the former Lotus Garden restaurant — 111 E. Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino — into a new eatery.
While the exterior was painted in a unique style reminiscent of a particular rapidly-expanding Mexican restaurant, it wasn’t confirmed until signage went up recently.
It’s going to be another Kalaveras.
The chain has been popping up all over the Inland Empire, with locations in Chino Hills, Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga and Moreno Valley.
Besides San Bernardino, the chain is readying locations in Montclair, Temecula and Corona.
Round up and help out
This holiday season, El Pollo Loco is urging its customers to help feed others.
Through June 30, 2023, the chain is asking its customers to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar.
The overages are earmarked for the Feeding America food bank, which means that your donations will support folks right here in the Inland Empire, via Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino.
The chain has committed to raising at least $150,000 and is working toward a goal of $400,000. It’s matching the first 100,000 roundups to help kickstart the campaign.
Leave a comment