After spending over 35 years running La Paloma Mexican Restaurante in Santa Clara, Rudy and Cindy Parker have decided to retire.
The couple, whose restaurant is at 2280 El Camino Real, previously retired after selling the establishment in 1990, but new management nearly ran it into the ground and forced the pair out of retirement to reclaim the restaurant before it was shut down. After a couple of shaky years, they were able to return it to the popular place it once was.
The Parkers said the new owners are “super people” who have spent 25 years in the restaurant business, and added that they aren’t changing one thing. In fact, they’ll be retaining the staff and name and keeping the menu exactly the same. Current chef, Jose Trujillo, who followed the Parkers into retirement and returned with them in 1994 when they took the restaurant back, also appears to be retiring, and is currently training a new chef who will continue the La Paloma tradition.
“We would like to thank all of our loyal customers for all of your support throughout these past 40 years,” said Rudy Parker. “We will miss you all, but we will have so many wonderful memories as we move into our retirement.”
Parker said they plan to stay at the helm in the interim, ensuring everything remains as is throughout the transition.
Visit La Paloma on the corner of El Camino Real and Los Padres Boulevard Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. to say goodbye to the Parkers. To view La Paloma’s menu, visit www.eatatlapaloma.com.