El Cholo Spanish Cafe is a legendary Los Angeles restaurant founded in 1923 by Alejandro and Rosa Borquez, originally opening as the Sonora Cafe before being renamed after a guest's caricature of a "field hand". The eatery is historically credited with introducing the burrito to the United States in the 1930s, and in 1959, waitress Carmen Rocha brought the first nachos to Los Angeles using her native San Antonio recipe. Rooted in Sonoran cuisine, its menu famously lists the introduction dates for each dish, such as its iconic green tamales, while its Hollywood proximity attracted a diverse clientele—even lifting the spirits of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini during his time in a Japanese POW camp. The family-run restaurant has since expanded to a six-location chain across Southern California, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023.