Gypsy Jan
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Is the Parent Corporation for El Torito Restaurants Ripping Off a Certain Legendary Ensenada Institution?
Nomads, you be the judge.
From the press release:
Who Song & Larry’s Cal-Mex Cantina Opens in Southern California
Introduces a Unique Dining Experience for Social, Adventurous Foodies
Orange, Calif. (May 14, 2014) – "An unexpected party-crasher to the Stadium Promenade, Who Song & Larry’s – a Real Mex Restaurant – opened today
in Orange, CA. Who Song & Larry’s is an entirely new restaurant concept that combines the fun and flair of Mexican culture with handcrafted
c-cktails and a fusion of foods from around the world. With an emphasis on “social eats,” Who Song & Larry’s offers food, drinks and an ambience
that are sharable, unexpected and eclectic.
The restaurant concept originates from the fictional story of two best friends – Who Song and Larry – who traveled around the world meeting good
people, eating great food and sharing many drinks. After a lifetime of travel and stories, the two friends decided to open a restaurant filled with
their favorite food, mementos and friends. Guests will experience the spirit of the duo and their adventures through the restaurant’s eclectic décor
and unexpected menu.
“This restaurant is completely different from anything else out there,” said Charly Robinson, CEO of Real Mex Restaurants. “We’ve brought together
everyone’s favorite foods from around the world, along with an incredible c-cktail menu and put them in a fun and energetic environment. From the
food, to our drinks, to our people – this is a restaurant you want to be in.”
Upon entering the cantina, guests will feel as if they’ve traveled the world with Who Song and Larry. An array of 12 unique chandeliers gleam over
the restaurant’s separate dining areas. The cantina includes tall communal tables, and in the heart of the building, the custom built indoor-outdoor
bar connects the cantina with the patio. With market lights, two beach palapas, and a 10-foot fire pit, the outdoor patio is the ideal setting to
enjoy a sunny afternoon happy hour, a weekend brunch with family or late night drinks with friends.
The Who Song & Larry’s menu, created by Executive Chef Johannes Bernau and his team, is an eclectic mix of favorite flavors from around the world.
With his Japanese, Dutch and Indonesian background, Chef Johannes’ menu includes everything from quintessential SoCal Mexican favorites to fresh
seafood, specialty salads, sharable starters and a unique Cal-Mex sushi menu. Highlights include the Lobster Mac & Cheese Enchiladas and the Muay
Thai Chicken Salad, which Bernau says, “has so much flavor it will kick you in the mouth.” Bernau built his career alongside several of the world’s
most-renowned chefs in the Las Vegas restaurant scene including Jose Andres and Wolfgang Puck, amongst others.
To complement the food, Who Song & Larry’s c-cktail list will make patrons dizzy just looking at it. The list of libations includes hand-crafted
c-cktails, specialty margaritas, flaming Mai Tai’s, sharable drinks served in wood buckets and an extensive selection of tequila and mescal brands.
Who Song & Larry’s is located at 1535 W. Katella Ave in Orange, CA and is open for brunch, lunch and dinner. For more information visit www.whosongandlarrys.com or www.facebook.com/wslcantina, and to make a reservation call 714-639-9550.
The Legend of Who Song & Larry’s
Legend has it, after a lifetime of travel, best friends Who Song and Larry had more tales than they could tell. Their stories revolved around the
good people they met, the great food they enjoyed, and the copious amounts of tequila that helped guide their way. When they returned home, they
yearned for a place to sit back, relax and share their stories. They couldn't find that place, so they opened it…and Who Song & Larry’s was born.
They filled the menu with their favorite things to eat, crafted amazing c-cktails and adorned the walls with the mementos they collected along their
travels. Most importantly, Who Song and Larry hired their best friends to work there to make sure everyone who came in would be treated like one of
their own.
About Real Mex Restaurants
Headquartered in Cypress, California, Real Mex Restaurants is the largest full-service, casual dining Mexican restaurant chain operator in the United
States with 118 company-owned and operated restaurants, as well as 13 franchised restaurants. Our brands include El Torito Restaurants, Acapulco
Mexican Restaurants, Chevys Fresh Mex® Restaurants, El Torito Grill Restaurants, Las Brisas Restaurant in Laguna Beach, Sinigual Restaurant in New
York City, Who Song and Larry's in Vancouver, WA, and El Paso Cantina in Torrance, CA."
[Edited on 5-18-2014 by Gypsy Jan]
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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Terry28
Senior Nomad
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Yes, I think it is an obvious rip off......but with a nice tongue in cheek story..
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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chuckie
Elite Nomad
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Percy would not approve!
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Dave
Elite Nomad
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Hussong's has been trading off its reputation for years. 
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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who's Larry?
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Confusing with mixed messages. Called "Real Mex", but serves
"SoCal Mexican favorites to fresh seafood, specialty salads, sharable starters and a unique Cal-Mex sushi menu. Highlights include the Lobster Mac
& Cheese Enchiladas and the Muay Thai Chicken Salad,..."
It's a chain restaurant, so maybe its reputation identifies it for what it is, despite the name. Really, just SoCal favorites.
"Who Song" is just stupid. But tourists won't know.
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bajalearner
Senior Nomad
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Obvious rip off. The 30, 40, 50 and 60 something knuckleheads in Orange county will think it's an adventure.
You won't see any Baja off road veh's in the lot, unless you consider a valet'ed range rover one.
RIP OFF!!!
There's an El Torito bar in Tijuana but they don't advertise they have mediocre food and drink at high prices in a stale atmosphere so I don't think
they are ripping off El Torito US. 
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by wilderone
Confusing with mixed messages. Called "Real Mex",
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Like "All American." Meaningless, when you think about it.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
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Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
who's Larry? |
One of the Three Stooges. 
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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bajagrouper
Senior Nomad
Posts: 964
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Rincon de Guayabitos, Nayarit, Mexico
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Mood: happy and retired
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Who's on first?
I hear the whales song
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