On Friday, March 27, 2026, the City of Glendale's Design Review Board (DRB) approved the demolition of Acapulco Restaurant to make way for a car wash. 

This isn’t just another building.  Located off the 134 Freeway and Pacific Ave, Acapulco has been a local landmark since the 1960s, operating out of a structure built in 1938.  For many of us, it’s more than a restaurant—it’s part of our community’s history and memories. 

We still have time to act.

The deadline to appeal is April 13 at 5 PM.

 • SIGN and SHARE this petition 
 • Email the city planner: SYepremian@GlendaleCA.gov 
 • Notify local TV news stations 
 • Submit an appeal: GlendaleCA.gov/Permits 

This demolition would be a significant downgrade to the surrounding neighborhood and a broader loss for Glendale.  In recent years, the city has already lost most of its main Mexican restaurants, as well as the recent loss of Conrad’s Restaurant.  These closures have steadily eroded the character and community identity of our city. 

Acapulco is still a popular and thriving restaurant, and the managers would like to renew their lease in June.  The only problem is that Acapulco has never owned the building.  Its demolition would not only remove a cherished gathering place, but also further endanger a historic Southern California restaurant chain that has dwindled from 39 locations to just four remaining today.  It’s now in “endangered status,” and needs to be protected.  

I respectfully urge Glendale's Design Review Board (DRB) to reconsider or delay this decision for another year, or even briefly, to allow for further review and community input.  If demolition must proceed, the City should work proactively with ownership to help secure a relocation within Glendale, or even better, help find a solution that gives the property owner an exit strategy while preserving the restaurant.   

City leadership plays a vital role in preserving the places that bring communities together.  We cannot continue to lose the establishments that define Glendale’s shared history and identity.  Restaurants like Acapulco serve generations of residents and provide a cultural and social value that cannot be easily replaced.

Historical Significance of 722 N. Pacific Ave (Acapulco Restaurant & Cantina)

 •  Built in 1938, reflecting Glendale’s pre-war development era
 •  Over 65 years of continuous operation, serving generations of residents
 •  Founded in 1960 by Ray Marshall, a pioneer of California-Mexican cuisine
 •  Award-winning legacy, including signature dishes recognized at major competitions
 •  One of only four remaining locations of a once 39-location regional chain
 •  A trailblazer of “Cal-Mex” cuisine, influential in American dining
 •  A longstanding community gathering place with deep local roots in Glendale, CA

In short, while the building may not be officially designated, it represents a rare surviving piece of Southern California’s cultural and culinary history. 

I urge the DRB to visit Acapulco and experience firsthand its atmosphere, food, music, service, and community significance before moving forward.  It represents an era of neighborhood dining that has largely disappeared from Southern California.  Once it is gone, it cannot be replaced.  

(When submitting an appeal, manually type in the website, create an account, click APPLY > PLANNING/ZONING > PLANNING APPLICATION since that option has the word APPEAL in the description. The address is 722 N Pacific, and the application number is PAR-005723-2025. The person's application that we are appealing is Alen Malekian. The "Appeal Type" is "Appeal of Admin Use Permits or Admin Design Review.")