They were the first to offer Mexican food in Abilene more than 70 years ago, and they've been serving it ever since.
"They used to have a traffic circle here before they had the intersection and you just drove by this thing any time you went anywhere if you were going up Treadaway or out of E. 80 you just always went by Farolito's," said Dan Nevil, whose frequented the restaurant for more than 15 years.
In fact, Farolito Mexican Restaurant has so much history, its' owners want it to be considered a cultural landmark.
"It's just part of the culture because its been here for so long," said Anita Herrera, whose married to the son of the original owner of the restaurant.
The restaurant goes back three generations.
Today, it's owned by Mark Herrera.
His grandfather built the north Abilene restaurant during the 1930's.
"It's just really good food," said Nevil.
That's because the history stems all the way down to the food.
"Well it's the same recipe that my mother in law used when she first started," said Herrera.
Which holds a recipe they're not giving up any time soon.
If approved, this would become the first commercial property to receive this kind of recognition.
That's something the Herrera's are very proud of.
"It makes you appreciate that people are thinking about us," said Herrera.
Although they've had their ups and downs along the way.
"Good days bad days," said Mark Herrera, who took over the restaurant five years ago.
They have no plans of slowing down- its become a part of the Herrera family- and now perhaps a part of Abilene history.
Commissioners for the city of Abilene will decide on whether to approve the request on Oct. 30.
If so, they'll be awarded a certificate and recognition as a cultural landmark.
"They used to have a traffic circle here before they had the intersection and you just drove by this thing any time you went anywhere if you were going up Treadaway or out of E. 80 you just always went by Farolito's," said Dan Nevil, whose frequented the restaurant for more than 15 years.
In fact, Farolito Mexican Restaurant has so much history, its' owners want it to be considered a cultural landmark.
"It's just part of the culture because its been here for so long," said Anita Herrera, whose married to the son of the original owner of the restaurant.
The restaurant goes back three generations.
Today, it's owned by Mark Herrera.
His grandfather built the north Abilene restaurant during the 1930's.
"It's just really good food," said Nevil.
That's because the history stems all the way down to the food.
"Well it's the same recipe that my mother in law used when she first started," said Herrera.
Which holds a recipe they're not giving up any time soon.
If approved, this would become the first commercial property to receive this kind of recognition.
That's something the Herrera's are very proud of.
"It makes you appreciate that people are thinking about us," said Herrera.
Although they've had their ups and downs along the way.
"Good days bad days," said Mark Herrera, who took over the restaurant five years ago.
They have no plans of slowing down- its become a part of the Herrera family- and now perhaps a part of Abilene history.
Commissioners for the city of Abilene will decide on whether to approve the request on Oct. 30.
If so, they'll be awarded a certificate and recognition as a cultural landmark.
