Three generations of Moores, and still in the Sizzler building on East 17th Street.

Barrie Moore opened Taco Tio in the San Gabriel Valley in 1956. It was the first taco drive-in in the Los Angeles area, and it caught on: Taco Tio grew to 8 locations.

A year later Taco Tio expanded to Santa Ana, the first taco drive-in restaurant in Orange County. The Moores have been feeding the county ever since.

Barrie Moore opened Mi Casa on 17th Street in Costa Mesa in 1972, with a bright blue iconic door. The building had been a Sizzler Steakhouse, and the family's own history says you can still see remnants of the wagon wheel chandeliers and the cattle iron branding symbols on the dining room tables.

Jose Perez was head chef from day one. Many of the sauces were originally his Abuela's recipes, and he ran the kitchen until he retired in 2004.

In 1976 a second Mi Casa opened in Balboa on Main Street. It ran until 1984, when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar bought the Balboa Inn.

In 1986 President George H. W. Bush dined at Mi Casa. He ordered the #12: Taco, Enchilada, Chili Relleno, rice and beans and 2 Tecates.

Barrie Moore died in 2003 at 85. His sons Rick and Dennis Moore ran Mi Casa after him, in the same building on 17th Street.

Head chef Jose Perez retired in 2004, after running the kitchen since the first day in 1972. The same year, Mi Casa filmed its first commercial at Triangle Square.

In 2008 Mi Casa Cares began as an annual charity event. It started with the Wounded Warriors Project and has since backed the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, Toys for Tots, and local high schools and youth sports.

A non-profit that wants a day of its own can read how the Fiesta Fundraiser works: 20% of the day's proceeds go to the group.

In 2010 Rick Moore sold Mi Casa to his son Ryan Moore. Ryan is the third generation of the family to run the restaurant, and he still greets tables on East 17th Street.

The Burro Room bar was remodeled in 2011 and draft beer was added. The Burro Room is part of Mi Casa's history, a gathering place for drinks and time with friends. Local press covered the reopening, and the headlines are listed with the awards and press.

Ryan Allen joined in 2016 as managing partner to oversee the day-to-day running of the restaurant.

Mi Casa marked 45 years in 2017. Readers of the Orange County Register had already placed it in Best of OC voting every year from 2014 to 2018, and those placings are set out on the awards page.

In 2022 Mi Casa turned 50, with its own anniversary glass. Half a century in one building, under one name.

In 2025 the dining room and bar were updated with new booths, tables and chairs and a more open feel. Every plate served in the room is on the menu page.