Abel Brambila Guzmán, the founder of El Rinconsito and El Antojo — two Mexican restaurant chains that have grown to dozens of locations across Washington state over the last 30 years — has died. He was 53.
The taquerias operate under the El Rinconsito corporate umbrella. Both shared news of Brambila’s passing in social media posts on Sept. 11.
“Con profundo dolor, toda la familia de El Rinconsito lamenta el fallecimiento de nuestro querido fundador, Abel Brambila,” wrote El Rinconsito around 10 a.m. last Friday in a statement shared in Spanish on Facebook and Instagram. “Hace 29 años, junto a Lupe Guzmán, Abel dio vida a un sueño que, gracias a su esfuerzo, entrega y amor, se convirtió en una gran familia. Hoy despedimos al hombre, pero su ejemplo, su historia y el legado que construyó permanecerán para siempre en cada rincón de El Rinconsito y en el corazón de quienes tuvimos la dicha de conocerlo.”
Translated to English, it reads: “It is with deep sorrow that the entire El Rinconsito family mourns the passing of our beloved founder, Abel Brambila. Twenty-nine years ago, alongside Lupe Guzmán, Abel brought a dream to life, thanks to his hard work, dedication, and love, became a great family. Today we bid farewell to the man, but his example, his story, and the legacy he built will remain forever in every corner of El Rinconsito and in the hearts of those of us who had the privilege of knowing him.”
In a phone call to the corporate office of El Rinconsito in Fife, a staff member said they were still processing the loss.
Brambila has been a fixture of the Puget Sound restaurant scene since 1997 when he partnered with Lupe Guzmán, the owner of a food truck in Kent, according to the company’s website. The truck’s following grew, which allowed them to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Burien, “where from the beginning the idea of having delicious food, at a good price and served at fast and friendly pace was a hit in the community.”
With solid support, especially from the Mexican community, the history continues, El Rinconsito expanded throughout the greater Seattle area and eventually to Eastern Washington. Within a decade, the cheerful green, red and white logo with a sombrero-sporting fellow had landed in cities up and down Interstate 5, with 14 locations including Bellevue and Everett to Federal Way and Tacoma. In more recent years, additional restaurants opened in Eastern Washington and Seattle, for a total of 18 across the state.
Since its start in 1997, El Rinconsito has grown to 18 locations across Washington state, most around Puget Sound. Drew Perine The News Tribune archive
The El Rinconsito company also holds the El Antojo chain of taquerias, currently with five locations, including two in Tacoma, one in Lakewood (with another on the way), Burien and Lynnwood. Another is slated for Tukwila, according to the website. Those restaurants start the day earlier, around 8 a.m., for breakfast.
At both chains, Brambila’s Favoritos sodas, manufactured in Mexico, feature prominently in combo deals, and the menus reflect a connection to Mexican traditions, with fresh salsas and tortillas accenting slow-stewed meats. All are known for late-night hours, too — until midnight on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends.
Brambila eventually ventured into full-service restaurants with the debut of Antojos Mexican Grill on the Tacoma-University Place border, featuring a full bar and table service alongside an expanded menu of Mexican plates. In 2022, a second bar and grill opened in the West End, and just last year the company replaced the original UP outpost with a brunch concept, Casa de los Chilaquiles. With frequent live music, chilaquiles and mimosa flights, it was a hit out of the gate.
Casa de los Chilaquiles replaced the original full-service Antojos Mexican Grill at 5502 Orchard St. W. in University Place in 2025. It joind the El Rinconsito family of restaurants. Kristine Sherred ksherred@thenewstribune.com
He reportedly was the main driver of Rey Carbon, an upscale Mexican steakhouse and cocktail bar in Lakewood that never found its footing and closed after about a year and one attempt at a revamp with a new chef and bar lead.
Information on funeral proceedings had not been shared as of Monday, but on Sunday, the restaurants posted an alert about fraudulent donation pages. The family is not requesting any financial support at this time and asked that the public refrain from responding or sharing them.
“On behalf of Abel’s family, thank you for the overwhelming love, support, prayers, and messages received during this incredibly difficult time,” read the posts on Instagram and Facebook. “Your kindness means more than words can express.”
Kristine Sherred
The News Tribune
Kristine Sherred joined The News Tribune in 2019, following a decade in Chicago where she worked for restaurants, a liquor wholesaler, a culinary bookstore and a prominent food journalist. In addition to her SPJ-recognized series on Tacoma’s grease-trap policies, her work centers the people behind the counter and showcases the impact of small business on community. She previously reported for Industry Dive and William Reed. Find her on Instagram @kcsherred.
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