Manuel Magana closed the doors to El Torero Mexican Restaurant an hour early on Saturday. It was the eatery’s last day of service and he’d sold out of all the food.
El Torero at 5575 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. closed Dec. 21 after more than four decades of business.
Magana, 70, said the time had come for him and his wife, Carol Magana, to retire from the restaurant they opened in 1981. With the lease expiring this year, “I thought it was time to let it go,” he said.
The Maganas opened nine El Torero locations in total, but they sold the others until only the Chamblee outpost remained under their ownership.
Credit: Olivia Wakim
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Manuel Magana said the last few days had been busy at the restaurant, with customers coming to dine for the last time. They shook his hand, gave him hugs and told him they would be sad to see El Torero close.