To begin with, please understand that none of this is made up. We are a real family - brothers, the sons of Macario and Adelaida Cuellar, and our families (and our Mother, really was one fantastic cook).  From the Introduction

{HISTORY}

What started in the 1920s as a one-woman tamale and chili stand at a Texas county fairground bloomed into a series of one of the most popular Tex-Mex restaurants of the 20th century, El Chico. Started by Mexican-American emigrant Adelaida Cuellar, the Texas-based restaurant known as El Chico, has been a family run business for almost 100 years. 

Serving authentic Mexican and Spanish cuisine adapted for the American palate,  the dishes served at El Chico (and published in this cookbook) are a true representation of the epicurean journey Mexican-Americans have celebrated over the past century. This cookbook is so phenomenal in its content and so important in the American food culture landscape it is housed in a special collection of cookbooks at The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. In addition to a fanbase that circles the globe, the Cuellar family has catered several Tex-Mex dinners at the White House, at the request of two US Presidents - Ronald Regan and Jimmy Carter,  and for film actress and princess Grace Kelly at her French Riviera palace in Monaco. 

Written with wonderful warmth and an engaging voice, this cookbook was born out of pure love for food, family and friendship. It's no wonder that the Cuellar family was so successful - their pride in their heritage and their dedication to presenting good food is evident on every page of this fabulous little cookbook. by the final pages, you'll wish you too were part of the El Chico family an

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Rare collectors cookbook 

- Colorful cover art by D Patton and interior black and white line drawings throughout

- Ingredients adapted for American grocery shopping

- Contains 67 pages and 72 recipes including special travel stories, suggested menus and preparation tips and techniques

- Special Day of the Dead and Christmas holiday recipes are also featured. 

{CONDITION}

This is a 40-year-old spiral-bound cookbook with soft covers. It is very well intact but contains some staining throughout (mostly on the page edges) and a wrinkle on the front cover. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Measures 6.5" inches (width) x 9" inches (length) x .25" inches (depth) 

{WHY IT IS MARVELOUS}

In addition to providing a wealth of interesting and easy to prepare recipes, this cookbook is a wonderful example of one family's heritage and the contributions they made to the American food scene during the 20th century. A true prize for any cultural cookbook collector. 

* FEATURED! *  This cookbook was featured on our blog with an in-depth story on Adelaida, her start in America and the restaurant she inspired, including photos! Read more here.