For a kid living in Utah in the 80's, going to the El Matador restaurant was always a treat. It was about the closest I was ever going to get to experiencing Mexico.
The look of the restaurant from the outside with the bell tower and tile roof, the decor on the inside (especially in the waiting area with the little fountain), and the best chips and salsa I've ever had still this day, always gave me chills and a warm feeling at the same time.
I loved it.
And we didn't get to go there often, as a family we only went out to eat on special occasions and there were three or four restaurants we would go to so the El Matador was usually a once a year or maybe twice a year if we were lucky.
And I have to say again as a kid growing up in Utah, Mexico and its fascinating culture and allure seemed about as far away as any other place on Earth. And many times I seemed trapped in Utah, wanting to be someplace warm and exciting, as compared to my cold and boring surroundings. Even my Spanish classes at Wahlquist Jr. High with Mr. Turner holds a special place for me. Can you imagine wanting to go to school just to feel like you are escaping the world in your Spanish class? I know, a little odd but that was me.
And for a kid that was fascinated by bullfights going somewhere called the "El Matador" was even better.
Although my love for the bullfight didn't begin at the El Matador, it actually began at Taco Time in Ogden (which is another story soon to come) the El Matador always kept the flame inside burning for me.
That is why I was very sad to here about its closing last year. And why I had to take a couple of pictures from the outside when I was in town again recently before it eventually gets torn down.
Long live El Matador, long live Ogden, and long live the bullfight.
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