Casa Del Sol restaurant in Tustin is the latest creation from mariachi star José Hernández

If you love Mexican food and music, you need to know that renowned mariachi José Hernández will grand open Casa Del Sol Cocina Mexicana at The District at Tustin Legacy on Thursday, Oct. 21. The restaurant will serve traditional Mexican favorites, margaritas and a regular menu of music by two groups Hernández has founded, Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández.

“I always say that the mariachi is the main dish because people come from all over to see Mariachi Sol de México and also Mariachi Reyna, the first all-female group formed here in the United States. We have people that drive all the way from Palm Desert and Santa Barbara,” Hernández said.

The Hernández family has been in the music business for five generations and this is not Hernández’s first restaurant — he’s been in that industry since 1976. He had two restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley, the last, Cielito Lindo in El Monte, closed in August after Hernández decided not to hold onto its lease during the pandemic.

Casa Del Sol is a brand new project set in an approximately 5,600-square-foot space with a stage and a private room for 40 diners. There are 140-170 seats inside and a patio that seats 60. Hernández describes the decor as “hip/traditional” with a snazzy fire element outside, dark wood furniture, stage with special musical mural backdrop, glass chandeliers and contemporary artwork such as a striking portrait of Frida Kahlo.

Historical performance outfits worn by music legends José Alfredo Jimenez, Vicente Fernández, Amalia Mendoza, Jenni Rivera and Vikki Carr will be on display. They were gifted to Hernández, who has performed with a long list of famous musicians of all genres including Selena, Vicente Fernández, Lola Beltrán, Juan Gabriel, Luis Miguel, Bryan Adams, Linda Ronstadt and the Beach Boys.

The dinner menu includes starters such as  nachos, wings and guacamole ($12-$15); combo plates and specialty dishes from Enchiladas Suizas to chile rellenos and carnitas ($15-$28); desserts ($10): a kids menu ($10); and vegan entrees ($14-$16). Brunch entrees ($15-$22) include breakfast burritos, chilaquiles and huevos rancheros as well as a bacon jam burger and steak and eggs.

A full bar will offer classic cocktails and sangria along with margaritas ($15) made with Herradura Silver tequila in classic or fruit flavors.

The restaurant soft opened a month ago but the grand opening had to be delayed because Hernández was in the hospital for 26 days.  “I had come down with multiple myeloma. And then I got COVID,” he said.

Now he’s recovered and feeling ready to get back on stage and to continue his work as music director of mariachi festivals and with educational initiatives he has founded: The José Hernández’s Mariachi Nationals and Summer Institute and the Mariachi Heritage Society.

Hernández doesn’t charge extra for the entertainment and he welcomes everyone to dine at his “100 percent family restaurant” — even if they’re not sure whether they like mariachis or not.

“For people who haven’t given mariachi music a chance, they have to experience it at the highest level,” he said. “I can’t go see a mediocre symphony orchestra or a band and say, ‘I don’t like it.’ You’ve got to go see the top musicians. And then you might.”

Find it: 2497 Park Ave., Tustin, 949-418-7088, casadelsoloc.com.

Open: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday; 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday. Mariachi Dinner Shows: Mariachi Quartet plays 6-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday;  Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández plays at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Sunday Brunch shows at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday Dinner Shows at 5 and 7 p.m. Call ahead to confirm which mariachi will be playing.