Founder Of San Diego's Iconic Roberto's Taco Shop Has Died

July 25, 2020

The matriarch of the family that may have invented the California Burrito has pass away. Dolores Robledo, who along with her husband Roberto opened the first Roberto's Taco Shop in San Diego in 1964, died last week at the age of 90.

Dolores R. Robledo was born on April 11, 1930 and passed away on July 14, 2020. She was the was the mother to 13 children and had 39 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. A Mexico-native Dolores and her husband Roberto started their restaurant empire in San Ysidro, where they operated a tortilleria and cafe. They opened their first Roberto's Taco Shop in National City in 1964. With the help of their 13 children and extended family, they grew the concept to a chain of more than 70 locations spread around San Diego and Nevada. The popularity of Roberto's throughout America's Finest City resulted in many imitators popping up and using the "-bertos" suffix, with names like Rigoberto's, Alberto's, Filiberto's, Hilberto's and others. Rumor has it that the famed California burrito originated at an unknown -berto's named restaurant in San Diego in the 1980s, which some surmise was the original Roberto's.

"Since then, Sra. Dolores had been sharing her love for family and authenticity through each meal served," the Roberto's Taco Shop company said in a press release. "She has left the legacy of her love and perseverance. The way she touched lives will remain ongoing. Dolores Robledo will be deeply missed. Please keep her family in your thoughts as they go through this difficult time."

Robledo moved to the Las Vegas Valley in 1990 and opened 57 Roberto's locations in Nevada. Visitation services for Dolores will be held at 4:00 pm at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, 3838 Bonita Road in San Diego's Bonita, followed by a mass and committal service the following day. Her full obituary can be found online.

San Diego owes a debt of gratitude to Dolores Robledo. We should all enjoy some Roberto's in her honor. Visit robertostacoshop.com to find the nearest location.