Clayton's Mexican Food Restaurant in Concord

My Mexican food craving happens about once a week, usually Friday. But, to be honest, I could probably eat Mexican food for every meal.

The textures, flavors and spices are deeply rooted in my neural pathways. This is due in part to having been raised in Pittsburg, where no living soul could escape the heavenly influence of the New Mecca Café, known simply as "The Mecca" to those who are loyal to her.

But after our move to Clayton over a decade ago, it was impractical to drive over the hill for "Mecca food" on a regular basis. This is when we discovered another species of Mexican food in our new home of Clayton.

So last Friday, as I headed home from work in the rain, I thought of  or as we refer to it, "Guad’s." But first, I had to get permission from my wife. She fights a valiant but losing battle to control my diet. Once I received clearance from mission control, the thought of chicken fajitas was the only thing on my mind.

OK. I know that Guadalajara Grill is not technically in the city of Clayton. But my culinary passions do not concern themselves with geopolitical boundaries. Besides, Guadalajara Grill belongs to us Claytonians, doesn’t it? As does the entire Clayton Valley Shopping Center.

It was my wife who had to prod me into trying Guadalajara Grill in 2000 when it was in its "little" location. Rolling my eyes and grumbling about no Mexican food measuring up to the Mecca, I begrudgingly decided to give it a try.

However, my own culinary provincialism was not so easily dismissed.

First off, the restaurant did not have the old school wooden booths like the Mecca, where I carved my name when I was an undisciplined teenager. It also lacked the mounted head of a bull with a cigarette in its mouth staring at you while you ate. What’s worse, employees did not seat you by calling out your number. They actually had the audacity to call out your name!

What’s wrong with this place, I mumbled to myself.

Then, the wait staff were always yelling as they made their way about the restaurant. They yelled at each other and even at the guests. "Hot plate! Hot plate!"

"Yeah, I know the plate is hot. You don’t have to yell at me. Don’t tell me how to handle my plate," I thought.

These people are rude I whispered to my wife. She laughingly dismissed my request to just drive over the hill to the Mecca.

After I melted the fingerprint off my right index finger on a hot plate, I was firmly convinced this place just didn’t work for me, even if the food was pretty darned excellent.

As time went by, I found myself asking for extra salsa whenever we did takeout. When we dined there, I noticed I was exploring the menu, trying different courses.

By the time Guadalajara Grill moved to its new super location in February 2005, I knew most of the staff by name. They graciously referred to me as Senior Kevin.

The owner, Saul Avelar, began his career in restaurants from the bottom up. He worked as a busboy, dishwasher, waiter and cook. He eventually managed two restaurants in Guadalajara, Jalisco, in Mexico.

In February 1990, he went into business for himself and opened Guadalajara Grill in Clayton (excuse me, I mean Concord). It was a family affair. Using his experience and family recipes, he and his wife prepared the food.

Saul and his staff certainly make me and my family feel at home. He said, "We have very loyal customers." That loyalty is returned.

"The best thing we have going is our customers." 

This is where Saul and I differ. I think his chicken fajitas are the best thing he has going. The chile Colorado is a close second.

Luis Velarde used to greet customers and wait on tables. Now he runs the bar. When I asked him about the customers, he said, "Seventy-five percent of our customers are from Clayton." They consider themselves a Clayton business in Concord.

From its excellent food to the "Hot Plate!" schtick (the Web site is even named www.hotplatehotplate.com), I have come to love Gaud’s. Of course, the people who work at Guadalajara Grill put it over the top. Come to think of it, my love for the Mecca has a lot to do with its owner, Guillermo Muniz, and his staff that I grew up with over the years.

Wow. There’s a concept — people making a difference in the lives of other people. So, the people of Clayton can make Guadalajara Grill a success because of its philosophy that the loyal customers are the best thing it has.

Too bad we Claytonians can’t figure out a way to get some of our sales tax money back from the City of Concord that we spend at the Clayton Valley Shopping Center. Now, there’s a plate that’s too hot to touch.

Or, am I just being too provincial here?