Matta Family History Part Two

 Chris Matta continues to tell about Matta Family history.  You will find Part One at Matta Family History Part One
Well let's see, since we last talked I had a chance to visit with my Aunt Gloria. Gloria is Manuel and Mary Lou's (my grandparents) eldest daughter. It turns out that one of the main reasons for the move out of Los Angeles was Mary Lou's asthma (I guess they didn't know about Valley Fever yet). Actually that was a pretty common doctor recommendation in those days---due to the dry climate.

Another thing Aunt Gloria shared with me was a wonderful picture of a very young Matta family taken in the spring of 1950 just before they left for their Arizona adventure. Pictured is Manuel (32 years old), Mary Lou (?? years old), Gloria (?? years old) and little David (5). ????? like I'm going to give up my grandmother's and my favorite aunt's age. I'd get my Matta card revoked for that. Just ask the much younger than me, Aunt Lisa, she'll tell ya all about it. One thing I've never been able to figure out is how her twin brother Louie is older than me. Hmmmm?? By the way, all my Aunties are my favorite ;o) (just in case Lisa reads this). Let's just say Gloria is older than David and Mary Lou's got both kids beat :0). I know I'm dropping names like flies in a bug zapper. The only of my dad's siblings I haven't mentioned is Robert but that's getting way ahead of myself. We'll talk about them later after they've been born. They're not going anywhere. Besides we haven't even opened the restaurant yet.

Next time I'll talk about their move back to Pecos, Texas to learn the restaurant business from Manuel's younger brother, Ben. Yeah, I know, they moved again! Don't worry, they will come back to Mesa and plant roots and open Matta’s, a Mesa tradition that continues to this day.

Don't forget to "like" Matta's Mexican Grill on FACEBOOK and check in on FOUR SQUARE using you smart phone. Each time you do check in you'll receive a free soda with any food purchase and the Mayor will receive a free appetizer (one per month. Offers not valid at the Riverview location)

Matta Family History - Matta's Mexican Food at Brown and Higley

I was in Matta's at Brown and Higley the other day and had an opportunity to talk with Chris Matta about his amazing family and Matta's history.  Chris is a great guy and he tells great stories!  The Matta family and Matta's Mexican Restaurant are an important part of Mesa history.

In 1950 Manuel and Marylou Matta hired a Bekins moving truck and driver, they packed all of their belongs, loaded their two children in the car and left Los Angeles. "Where were they headed?" you ask. Safford, Arizona!!? I bet you thought I was going to say Mesa. Manuel worked as a welder and part time at a dairy in Los Angeles. The dairy farmer he worked for convinced him it was a great way to make a living and told him about a great opportunity in Safford, AZ.  So, off they went. Well, as luck would have it, they decided to stop in Mesa for the night and continue on the next day. They stayed at Kohler's Kiva Lodge on Main. David, their youngest at the time, remembers the Kiva as "the coolest place he had ever stayed" in his 5 young years. Mesa left a very favorable impression on the young couple, but they were headed to Safford--so off they went. Well, Safford was a very nice town, but when all was said and done it just wasn't a good fit for them.  Mesa, they thought, was a little more their speed and looked like a wonderful place to raise a family. Small town enough, with lots of possibilities but without the crowding they were starting to see in Los Angeles. So they told the Bekins driver to turn around and head back to Mesa. Manuel found a job in Tempe welding metal door and window frames and Marylou set up housekeeping and settled the family into their new home, Mesa!! "Well, what about the restaurant?" you ask. Well that's still 3 years off. Maybe we can talk about that next time.........if you'd like. Or if you just can't wait that long, come down and see us at the Higley and Brown location. Just ask for Chris. We'll talk. Use the Four Square app on your smart phone to check in while at Matta's @ Higley and Brown and receive a free soft drink with a purchase of anything on the menu. (Not valid at the Riverview location)