El Palacio
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El Palacio of Mexican Food is a Mexican restaurant chain founded in Amarillo, Texas in 1962 by Jimmy and Nonie McClure. The second location opened in Huntsville, Madison County in 1966. In the following years, the chain expanded across the South.
The chain peaked around 1972 with almost 60 restaurants. At that time, the Birmingham District had locations at 8506 1st Avenue North in East Lake and at 2210 Bessemer Road at Five Points West. Later locations included 201 Green Springs Highway in Homewood and 1543 Montgomery Highway in Hoover.
In 1972 the Back Door Lounge was located in the back of the East Lake El Palacio location. The Hoover location, later used by Mexico Lindo Autentico restaurant, was damaged by a fire in July 2018.
References
- El Palacio ad in "This Month in History" (March 1972) at Birmingham Rewound
- Marshall, Mike (January 19, 2010) "Owner recalls beginnings of Huntsville's oldest Mexican restaurant" The Huntsville Times