Mina and Nestor Hernandez have opened a new eatery on the beach, just off the bike path.
After finishing an egg, bacon and cheese breakfast sandwich, and a latte at Neto’s Café, the decidedly warm Wednesday, made sitting at the beach a perfect place to people watch – with the Pacific Ocean in the background.
Neto’s Café is located on the beach, directly across from the gas station on PCH at the base of Santa Monica Canyon.
Before opening Neto’s at the beginning of December, owners Nestor and Mina Hernandez had become a popular fixture in the Canyon Square on weekends, serving tacos and Oaxaca food, such as tlayuda, which are large, chewy tortillas covered with refried beans, meat, cheese, avocado and salsa (or they can be made without the meat – a perfect vegetarian choice).
Nestor said that they had grown to like the Channel Road/Santa Monica Canyon location and the people, and knew “If I find a spot close by, I’ll take it.”
About the time the Canyon Square location closed, this beach concession opened – even though winter on the beach might not be the optimal time to introduce a new eatery.
This editor ran into a former Canyon Square customer, who had followed the couple to this new location. “They’re great and have good food,” the man said, and added, “They have to be determined to open up at Christmas time in this location.”
The Hernandez are waiting for final approval from L.A. City to put up signs.
In addition to bagels, omelets, breakfast burritos, pancakes and French toast for breakfast, there is a lunch menu that includes burger and fries, fish tacos, tuna melt, Pozole, or a veggie lunch bowl.
Nestor moved from Oaxaca, Mexico, to L.A. when he was 16 and immediately went to work in Mrs. Garcias in Marina del Rey as a dishwasher and in food prep.
He’s worked at numerous restaurants including Palomino (Westwood), Ronnie’s Diner (Culver City and Gjeling (Venice). At every job he worked, Nestor said, “I always had it in my mind to have my own place.”
One of his first independent ventures was at the Westchester Farmers Market, where he sold breakfast and lunch items including steak and breakfast burritos.
By 2019, he had a food truck that was parked near the Santa Monica pier, but when the pandemic broke out, business took a big hit.
While working at different restaurants, Nestor observed “the most important thing is to have good food.” And, “to be friendly with people, respectful and be polite, they’re spending money for a good meal.”
If one is walking in Santa Monica Canyon, go through the tunnel at Entrada and take a left to the cafe. The Hernandez are still establishing winter hours but are currently open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The couple have four children, ages 9 to 21, who come to help the family business on weekends. There is a beach parking lot by the café, and is easily accessible to traffic going south on Pacific Coast Highway. One can order ahead of time (424) 208-3559 and pick up food to go.