From humble beginnings in the gulf city of Merida, Yucatan, Augusto “Cuco” Salazar Sr. departed from Mexico to the United States with nothing more than a suitcase, a passport and $100. For years, he worked two jobs saving every penny with aspirations to open his own business.
The opportunity came and in 1969, he had saved enough to buy a small beer lounge. It was a good start, but Cuco yearned for more. Coincidentally, the location next door to the bar was put on the market and he decided to act. He sold his bar, bought the property and opened the first Don Cuco in Toluca Lake. With much determination, many old family recipes from Yucatan and a commitment to excellent service, Don Cuco has been a staple of Southern California’s Mexican cuisine.
