Taix honors trio of staffers with 50 years each

The venerable French restaurant on Sunset Boulevard where Glendale Boulevard passes underneath had a party last night to fete three staffers — two waiters and a bartender — who have worked there the whole 50 years that Taix has been in Echo Park. (It started Downtown, when there was a sizable French community there.) Former District Attorney Gil Garcetti was among about 150 celebrants. Our blogger Jenny Burman was there for Chicken Corner, and Echo Park Patch covered the party (with a photo, above, by Gary Leonard.) The Eastsider LA visited last month with banquet waiter Jose Fragoso, bartender Fernando Gomez and dining room waiter Bernard Inchauspé — immigrants from Mexico, Argentina and France. The LA Times followed up with a feature story by Kate Linthicum.

Taix describes its history this way:

The Taix Family are the third and fourth generations of a family of sheepherders and bakers from the “Hautes-Alpes” in southeastern France who immigrated to Los Angeles around 1870.

In 1912 Marius Taix Sr. built a hotel called the Champ d’Or in downtown Los Angeles’ French quarter. In 1927, Marius Taix Jr. opened Taix French restaurant within the hotel serving chicken dinners for 50 cents at long “family-style” tables. Diners could choose private booth service for an extra quarter. Taix’s novel food, unique service and affordable prices make it a Los Angeles institution.

The present location opened in 1962 and continues to be a family affair. Family style service has given way to private booths, but Taix French restaurant remains faithful to the famed tureen of soup, fresh french bread, and abundant portions of French country cuisine at affordable prices.

Photo: Gary Leonard/Echo Park Patch