Los Angeles to Rename Eubank Avenue in honor of Juanita’s Foods Owner
The City of Los Angeles and District 15 Councilmember Joe Buscaino announced today that a portion of the current Eubank Avenue will be renamed after the late Juanita’s Foods owner, George De La Torre Jr. in a special ceremony taking place on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at 11 AM at Juanita’s Foods headquarters located at 645 N. Eubank Avenue in Wilmington, California
Born on February 21, 1935, George De La Torre Jr. was a civic and business leader who dedicated his life to his family, his company and giving back to his beloved Wilmington community where he was born and raised by his Mexican-American father, George De La Torre Sr. and his Japanese-American mother Elsie Hamamoto. De La Torre served his country in the U.S. Army and attended California State University Long Beach before taking over his father’s fish cannery in 1968 when his father passed away. He would then make the bold decision to focus his efforts on canning and distributing the Mexican soup known as menudo, which was considered to be a revolutionary concept at the time. Today, Juanita’s Foods is the largest producer of menudo and the #1 menudo and pozole brand in the United States.
Beyond his incredible success as a businessman, George De La Torres Jr. never forgot where he came from and always made it a point to support his local community by supporting several non-profit organizations and charitable causes, especially those supporting youth and educational programs. A few of the local organizations that were near to his heart included; Banning High School, YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, he donated menudo to Wilmington seniors as well as to U.S. troops serving abroad. Being of both Mexican and Japanese descent, De La Torre also co-founded the Japanese American National Museum in the Little Tokyo area of downtown Los Angeles. His service to his community was recognized when the Los Angeles Unified School District renamed Island Elementary School after him as a tribute to the hometown hero the year following his passing in 2009.
“Our father was the cornerstone of our family and of the Juanita’s brand. His legacy and memory remain alive and will continue to be a source of inspiration for all that were touched by his presence” said Gina De La Torre Harpur on behalf of the family.
George De La Torre Jr. solidified Wilmington as the capital of menudo in the U.S. by building a brand that represents everything Hispanics value most; culture, tradition and family. De La Torre’s legacy of leadership, generosity and devotion to his community is carried on by his children who continue to own and operate Juanita’s Foods. It is fitting that the street rename will honor a man who has had such a huge impact on his community and the many lives he touched.
Juanita’s is a third generation family-owned and operated business based in Wilmington, California. Founded in 1946 by George De La Torre Sr. and his nephew, Albert Guerrero, Juanita’s Foods offers several authentic home-style Mexican foods including varieties of Menudo, Pozole, Albóndigas, Hominy, Pork Chile Verde and Nacho Cheese Sauce as well as a line of Pico Pica Sauces and Menudos. It is Juanita’s Foods on-going commitment to innovation, authenticity, and quality that has enabled the company to become a leader in the Mexican food category.
