Popular Mexican restaurant in Citrus Heights to close

By Sara Beth Williams–
Gilberto’s Tacos Mexican Restaurant on Auburn Boulevard will be closing in September.

In an Aug. 23 social media post, the Mexican restaurant located at 7150 Auburn Blvd., across from Whatsupstairs thrift shop, announced its final day will be Sept. 22, citing the reason being the sale of the property by the landlord. A similar message is posted on the front of the building.

Gilberto’s Tacos owner Martha Patricia Garcia told The Sentinel in an interview Wednesday that the lease had expired in February and that the restaurant has since been paying month to month. Garcia said she knew the property would eventually sell, but didn’t expect it so soon.

“It has been a pleasure to serve our customers these past 8 years,” management for the company wrote on social media, adding that with such a short notice to close shop, the restaurant is “unsure of the future.”

Garcia said she wants to remain in Citrus Heights because she has built a reputation in the city and wants to remain loyal to her customer base. Currently, she is still searching for a new location.

“I won’t quit,” Garcia said, adding that she’s going to keep searching for another permanent place here in Citrus Heights.

Garcia opened the restaurant in 2016, after previously having worked in management for another restaurant. Garcia said her family has always emphasized not living paycheck-to-paycheck, and that helped motivate her to start her own business.

Gilberto’s Tacos opened across the street from the former site of Sylvan Middle School. With a small footprint of only 351-square-feet of building space indoors, the restaurant offers a colorful outdoor patio for seating that overlooks Auburn Boulevard.

In past reports, reviewers said the restaurant “still has the old town flavor.” The restaurant building itself still appears similar to the former Jolly Burger, but now has red bricks and a red, green and white color scheme.

Prior to Gilberto’s, Jolly Burger occupied the space for decades with a classic diner-like style. The restaurant was taken over in 2013 by the Ward family, who struggled to keep the memories of the old restaurant alive.