Versailles (restaurant chain) facts for kids
Versailles is a popular chain of five Cuban cuisine restaurants in Los Angeles, California, USA. The very first restaurant in this chain opened in 1981 in Culver City on Venice Boulevard.
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About Versailles Restaurants
Imagine a big, lively place where waiters wear white shirts and black bow ties! Fun salsa music plays, and the most famous dish is their amazing garlic-roasted chicken. Many people love Versailles because of its special garlic sauce. This sauce is a trademark for their shredded roast pork and chicken dishes.
Delicious Cuban Food
Versailles serves many tasty Cuban dishes. One famous dish is "Moors and Christians", which is simply black beans served with white rice. They also have ropa vieja, a yummy shredded beef stew. Another favorite is lechón, which is roast pork with sliced onions.
You can also find other interesting dishes like beef tongue, sautéed ox tail, and halibut in garlic sauce. Meals are usually served with rice, black beans, and fried plantains.
What People Say
Many people, including famous guides and critics, have praised Versailles. The Lonely Planet guide calls it "Country-style Cuban at its finest." A guide for law schools said the Versailles near UCLA is a favorite spot. Even British actress Helen Mirren said that having dinner at Versailles is part of her ideal weekend in Los Angeles! People often wait in line for a table, especially for the famous chicken with garlic sauce.
Restaurant Locations
As of 2009, there were five Versailles locations. These included the original restaurant in Culver City on Venice Boulevard. Other locations were in Los Angeles on La Cienega Boulevard (34°03′09″N 118°22′35″W / 34.0526°N 118.3764°W), Encino, Manhattan Beach, and Universal City Citywalk. However, the Manhattan Beach and Universal City locations have since closed.
A Family Business Story
Versailles is a family business. In 2020, the original owners, Orlando and Nora Garcia, had a disagreement with their son, William, about who owned the restaurants. They had trusted their son to help manage the business.
This family discussion was brought to court, but before a jury could hear the case, the family was able to talk things through and settle their differences. The judge was happy they found a way to agree. After the settlement was announced, Orlando Garcia and his son hugged in the courtroom. One juror even told William Garcia, "I’m glad you guys got it together!" This shows that even when families have big disagreements, they can often find a way to work things out.
