The margaritas were always good and the chips and salsa fresh, beginning when the restaurant opened in 1980 and lasting until Sunday night when residents of Del Ray came out to mourn the end of an era. After 27 years on Mt. Vernon Avenue, Los Amigos closed its doors.

Isabel and Gustavo Erostegui opened Los Amigos in 1980 when there was little else on Mt. Vernon Ave. Because two of his customers were robbed, Gustavo worked with Police Chief Charles Samarra and some of us who lived in Del Ray at the time to get police foot patrols, said Gayle Reuter, a member of the Potomac West Business Associations Board of Directors and a long-time Del Ray resident. Gustavo and Isabel have been there, contributing to every cause and participating in every event on The Avenue since the beginning. It was unbelievably sad to see them close.

When Los Amigos first opened in 1980, it was the only restaurant on The Avenue that served Mexican cuisine. There are now at least four others who compete for the business that once belonged to the little cantina. Competition and the rising cost of real estate in Alexandria led to the couples decision to close the restaurant.

If they want to open a Peruvian restaurant someplace else, we will help them, Reuters said. Theyve always been there for us and we will support them in what ever they decide to do.