CASA Escobar The 90-Year Family Tradition
Written by Elena Richards Photographed by Marvin Steindler
T
he word “tradition” isn’t one that many Angelino families can relate to, much less boast about. For restaurant owner Kathy Escobar Harvey, owner of Casa Escobar in Westlake Village and the brand new Casa Escobar Malibu Beach at the site of the legendary Malibu Inn, the tradition of owning and managing restaurants has been a part of her family’s DNA for the past 90 years. Kathy’s great grandparents, Pasquel and Simona Escobar, opened a small taqueria (taco stand) in west Los Angeles in 1924. In 1946, Kathy’s grandparents, Juan and Rosa, continued the tradition by opening the first Casa Escobar in Los Angeles, which was built close to the site of the original taqueria. Kathy’s father, Peter, helped run that restaurant until he opened his own Casa Escobar. Peter has since owned and operated several restaurants all over Southern California, including Casas Escobar in Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey, and he was responsible for making the family name synonymous with the best and most
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Calabasas Style
authentic Mexican food and ambiance found anywhere in the area. Today, the 87-year-old restaurateur and martial artist is now retired but still plays a vibrant role in maintaining the family heritage. Kathy and her husband, Russell Harvey, owned and operated the Casa Escobar at Cross Creek in Malibu for many years until fire destroyed it in 2003. Although the couple rebuilt their business, the property owners bought them out to build retail stores. The buyout came before the Great Recession, and in 2011, Kathy and Russell opened the new Casa Escobar in Westlake Village. This restaurant has quickly become a favorite destination for lunch, dinner and happy hour in the Conejo Valley. Kathy and Russell’s daughter, Jessica, is also involved in the family business, working at both venues while also working at Karma Tequila in Malibu. This past year, Kathy and Russell, along with new partner Craig Austin, bought the legendary Malibu Inn, an iconic beachside restaurant, bar and live-entertainment venue dating back to the 1930’s, and transformed the venue into the new Malibu Beach