A Mexican food restaurant with a history going back to 1952 and a large customer base in the Quad Cities will soon shut its doors.
Leaders with Adolph’s Mexican Foods, 2903 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, recently announced the popular restaurant will permanently close on Saturday, Dec. 24. The business owners, Leslie and Robert Carter, are retiring.
Adolph’s East Moline site at 4030 Kennedy Drive will remain open. However, that restaurant will be closed from Dec. 25 to Jan. 8 for vacation.
“Our Moline location’s last day of operation will be Dec 24, 2022. We want to thank everyone for all the support over the years. Our East Moline location will still be open,” the announcement on Adolph’s Facebook page said.
The Moline restaurant also has a large sign outside its building stating “Last Day Dec. 24” on one side and “It’s Been A Blessing” on the other.
When contacted by the QCBJ this week, employees said they have been kept very busy in the past few days because many customers have been visiting Adolph’s – perhaps for the last time. They declined to give their names or add any additional comments about the closure.
The QCBJ recently asked customers and former employees of Adolph’s Mexican Food to share their memories and thoughts about the long-time restaurant. Here are some of those responses (including some sent to the QCBJ, and others posted on Adolph’s Facebook page.)
- “I went to work there in the early ‘70s. When my father found out it was for 95 cents an hour, he said it was too far to drive. Boy, that was a long time ago. Then shortly after that, the minimum wage went to $1.25, I think. But I got tips at Adolph’s. … The food was so wonderful. Loved the family and working there. Over the years, I always went there for all my food needs.” – Jeanna LaRue
- “One of my earliest memories in life is at 3-4 years old in the late 80’s. My mother driving our Mustang hatchback to go pick up my dad from the Moline airport (traveled for business) and then going to Adolph’s. I loved their bean dip in the fried tortilla shell with extra cheese on top. My favorite part was when my mother would tear the shell apart at the end and we’d eat the shell with remaining refried beans on it. Then my brother and I would fall asleep in the back of the hatchback looking up at the stars on the drive home.” – Tiffany Nelson
- “I’m gonna miss the memories of sitting in there with my Mom stuffing our faces with amazing tacos.” – Nathan Handy
- “Thank you for all the years you provided the QCA with your wonderful food. You guys deserve to rest.” – Chris Thompson
- “They had the best tacos and other stuff.” – Mary Lou Walters
- “Little piece of home gone.” – Sean Ryser
- “I remember going to the first one downtown. Adolph would give my mom and I red licorice. My whole family will sure miss your wonderful food.” – Debbie Jackson
Adolph’s traces its history back to 1952, according to the company’s website. In that year, Adolph and Louise Perez, who had dreamed of owning a Mexican restaurant, opened El Sombrero in East Moline. At that time, Mexican food wasn’t widely known in the area, so they were taking a big chance in introducing their innovative fare to the region.
“Adolph and Louise reinvented their business several times, perfecting it until it became Adolph’s Mexican Foods. Adolph retired from the business in 1996, at the age of 85 and Louise continued working in the restaurant until she passed away in 2007,” the website said.
Two of their children continue to run the business. John Perez runs the East Moline location, and the Carters run the soon-to-close Moline location.
Adolph’s is open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays.
