Historical Marker

Lala's Café

Historical marker location:
Mirando City, Texas
( 602 Main St. Ave. at corner of W. 5th St.)
Marker installed: 2012
Marker size: 27" x 42"

LALA’S CAFE

EDUARDA (LALA) BANDA WAS BORN NEAR SAN LUIS POTOSI, MEXICO, ON OCTOBER 13, 1910. SHE CAME TO THE UNITED STATES WITH HER PARENTS AND SIBLINGS AND LIVED ON THE JOHNSON RANCH IN WEBB COUNTY. AT THE AGE OF TWELVE, SHE MOVED WITH HER FAMILY TO THE OIL BOOMTOWN OF MIRANDO CITY. IN 1931, LALA MARRIED DOMINGO RODRIGUEZ AND HAD TWO CHILDREN. AFTER FOUR AND A HALF YEARS OF MARRIAGE, DOMINGO PASSED AWAY, LEAVING LALA TO SUPPORT TWO CHILDREN.

LALA WORKED FOR SEVERAL FAMILIES IN THE MIRANDO CITY AREA AND LEARNED TO COOK A DIVERSE ARRAY OF FOODS TO SUIT THE TASTES OF DIFFERENT CLIENTS. ON DECEMBER 31, 1953, SHE DECIDED TO USE HER EXPERIENCE AS A COOK AND OPENED LALA’S CAFÉ, A SMALL FOUR-ROOM HOUSE ON MAIN STREET, WITH THE HELP OF HER BROTHER, FRUCTOSO (TIO) BANDA. THE CAFÉ WAS SOON SUCCESSFUL.

PEOPLE CAME FROM MILES AROUND TO ENJOY THE HAND-MADE TORTILLAS AND FOOD FROM LALA’S KITCHEN. THE GROWING DEMAND HELPED LALA BUILD A NEW CAFÉ ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE ORIGINAL LOCATION THAT OPENED IN 1964. LALA’S CATERED TO A VARIETY OF CUSTOMERS INCLUDING AIRMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM LAREDO AIR FORCE BASE, CARLOADS FROM SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS. LALA’S CAFÉ HAS BEEN NOTED IN MANY NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES, INCLUDING DALLAS MORNING NEWS, THE SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS NEWS, THE LAREDO TIMES AND TEXAS MONTHLY, AS A FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN THE AREA.

LALA BANDA, A WOMAN OF LIMITED MEANS FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AND A PIONEER IN THE COMMUNITY, PASSED AWAY IN THE SPRING OF 1973. HER FAMILY CARRIES ON THE LEGACY OF SERVING MIRANDO CITY AND WEBB COUNTY RESIDENTS VIA LALA’S CULINARY ART.

(2012)

MARKER IS PROPERTY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

Mexican American
Texas is also home to the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The venue covers three acres and can hold up to 6,000 people.
Texas random facts
Webb County, located in southern Texas along the Mexico border, has a rich and vibrant history dating back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by various Indigenous groups, including the Coahuiltecan and Cabeza de Vaca tribes. In 1705, the Spanish government established what is now known as the city of Laredo, making it one of the oldest European settlements in present-day Texas.

During the 19th century, Webb County played a crucial role in the struggle for Mexican independence and the subsequent development of the Texas Republic. In 1836, during the Texas Revolution, Mexican troops led by General José de Urrea were defeated by the Texian forces at the Battle of San Patricio, which took place near present-day San Patricio, a community within Webb County.

Following the Texas Revolution, Laredo became an important trading center, connecting the United States and Mexico. The city's location along the Rio Grande made it a key point for trade and transportation, leading to its rapid growth. In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War, and Laredo became part of the United States.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought significant changes to Webb County. The arrival of the railroad in the 1880s further stimulated economic growth, as it provided an efficient means of importing goods and exporting local agricultural products. This led to the expansion of ranching and agriculture industries in the region. Additionally, the discovery of oil and gas reserves in the early 20th century brought further prosperity and development to the county.

Today, Webb County continues to thrive as a bustling border city and a hub of trade between the United States and Mexico. With a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant economy, the county serves as an important intersection of history, commerce, and diversity in Texas.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Webb County, Texas.

  • 1848 - Webb County is established as a county in the state of Texas.
  • 1849 - The first permanent settlers arrive in what is now known as Laredo, the county seat of Webb County.
  • 1852 - The county's first courthouse is built in Laredo.
  • 1860 - The population of Webb County reaches over 4,000 residents.
  • 1881 - The Texas-Mexican Railway reaches Laredo, leading to increased trade and development in the county.
  • 1906 - A new courthouse is built in Laredo to replace the previous one.
  • 1944 - The Laredo Air Force Base is established, contributing to the county's economy and providing employment opportunities.
  • 1977 - The Rio Grande Industrial Park is opened, promoting industrial development in Webb County.
  • 2010 - Webb County's population exceeds 250,000 residents.