Hussong's

Hussong's Cantina is the oldest cantina in the Californias (California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico).

It is located in Ensenada, Baja California, Baja California and it was established in 1892.

History

The cantina was founded by Johan Hussong, an immigrant who left Germany with his brothers in 1880 for New York. Bored with city life, in 1890 John decided to travel to Ensenada, then a small fishing village of only 5,000 people. Johan then changed name to John and opened a small restaurant and stage coach stop where he sold beer for a nickel and whiskey for a dime. John then brought his fiancee from Germany, Louise. Back in Ensenada they married and raised four boys, Ricardo, John, Percy and Walter as well as a girl, named Estella. In 1892 he obtained an alcohol license and started operating the John Hussong Bar. His license is still "#002" and the building is still located on "Ruiz Avenue". Currently, Hussong's offers a relaxed setting for locals and tourists alike. In addition to the bar, the Hussong family also owns an adjoined shopping mall too (The Hussong's Official Stores are owned by the Ampudia family, not by the Hussong family, which is the family that owns The Papas&Beer and Mango Mango Bars and the Papas&Beer Official Stores too). Hussong's offers two for one beer on Tuesdays, and is packed by 8:00pm, mostly with locals. On other nights Hussong's attracts a large clientele, providing music, excellent piña colladas and the customary basket of peanuts. It’s also the place where the Margarita was invented—back in October, 1941 by bartender Don Carlos Orozco. He concocted the perfect mixture of equal parts tequila, Damiana (Cointreau is used now) and lime, served over ice in a salt-rimmed glass for Margarita Henkel, daughter of the German Ambassador to Mexico.

Famous patrons

* Phil Harris
* Bing Crosby
* Steve McQueen
*

External links

* [http://www.cantinahussongs.com/eng/maineng.htm Official site]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/lasilvi/sets/333945/ Photo gallery]