I believe this place has been closed for about two years, but I’m writing it up anyway. They’ve closed and opened before. We can always hope.
Located on a lonely stretch of country road between Mount Signal and Calexico, the Mount Signal Cafe was a place for farmhands and travelers to grab a beer and a taco. Even more rustic than its nearby peer Camacho's, the Mt. Signal Cafe consisted of a bar and about a dozen tables and booths.
The place opened in 1959 and was run by Maria Olazabal, a famous female bullfighter, who waited tables — and her husband Bazabal, once a Basque sheepherder, who welcomed customers from behind the bar. It is rumored to be the birthplace of the “special quesadilla,” a deep-fried wonder that is now available at several other Imperial Valley Mexican places including Camacho’s and Celia’s.
They also served homemade chips and salsa and fantastic tacos.
We went here with my parents and a bunch of their friends one night for New Year’s Eve when I was a kid. Had a raucous good time, rang in the new year, and eventually headed home — only to realize when we got there that my Mom didn’t make it in anyone’s car. We had to race back out to pick her up.
★★★★★ (5.0) — Route S2, Imperial Valley