But Elwell had another ambition, buying real estate, rental units and eventually, building. “It’s like Monopoly,” borrowing on one property to build another, including apartments. “I tinker in real estate and love to build. . .if I were young that’s what I would do, be a builder. I like things that are made, just love building, remodeling, fixing things.At Tia Babe’s, fixing things includes those items on the large menu, although early on “I weeded out the items that people didn’t seem to like as much. Chile verde is one big seller, my beans, people love the beans. My corn burritos and sauce. . .people come over the Grapevine for them. Yesterday, a customer came in and bought four corn burritos and took them home to Fillmore. He called on the telephone and said ‘Make 24 more, I’m coming in for them!’ I also sell a lot of enchiladas,” and has had a standing special on them for 15 years, Elwell said.The chile verde, bean and cheese burrito is “My favorite and has been since day one,” she added.But its not just the food that satisfies Elwell: “What I like the most is being busy, meeting people, seeing old friends. People are so neat, it’s just great. Tia Babe’s is just a little home joint but it’s been really good to me, the people really good to me. A lot of people think it’s a gold mine but it’s not the gold I love, it’s the people. I give the employees a lot of credit; it's not just me, it's them. I have really good help who've been with me for many years. . .that's why I'm still here.”“The restaurant is always busy, we’ve been pretty lucky,” said Ricci Laureano, known as Tia Babe Jr. to customers. “Mom’s a really hard worker who can’t take a day off. . .she’s always here! I’ve been her right hand for 25 years, since I was 11 years old, and I don’t know anything else, just good food.”When Elwell is away from Tia Babe’s, cooking is the farthest thing from her mind. “I hate cooking at home, I don’t like to dirty my kitchen. I eat potato chips and sandwiches at home,” she said with a laugh.And retirement will come some day, added Elwell, who would like to travel the world and become active with the Decedientes Club of old California families.“Oh, the kids will take over some day. . .and then I’ll come in and help them!”
Tia Babe’s: Fine Mexican eatery celebrates 25 years
December 13, 2000
Santa Paula News
Everyone knows her as Tia Babe, purveyor of fine Mexican food.
And Florence Elwell a.k.a. Tia Babe’s is celebrating 25 years of serving great food - each dish flavored with firm resolve - at the restaurant on East Harvard Boulevard.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesEveryone knows her as Tia Babe, purveyor of fine Mexican food.And Florence Elwell a.k.a. Tia Babe’s is celebrating 25 years of serving great food - each dish flavored with firm resolve - at the restaurant on East Harvard Boulevard.Tia Babe’s Burritos & Mexican Food opened for business in 1975, after Elwell worked 11 years in a college cafeteria and as a beauty operator.“I kept my license all these years,” she noted.But then again, Elwell never takes chances, not really when you factor in the hard work and determination she’s applied to every task.Hailing from Ventura’s Tortilla Flats, one of her ancestors was the pathfinder for Father Serra in the 18th century; her father the illegitimate son of a wealthy Ventura family. Florence dropped out of school in the 9th grade to work, married and divorced twice, and had three daughters.It was when she was working in a coffee shop, “Saw that money bag going back and forth,” that Elwell decided, “ ‘Hey, I’m going to this for myself. . .’ I sold my car, sold my dresses, all my pretty things to buy this business and reopen as Tia Babe’s. Citizens State Bank helped too,” but it was her resolve to succeed that topped the menu.Her first day at the helm of Tia Babe’s - December 12, 1975 - brought her trial under fire when Elwell badly burned her hands. But she ignored the bandages and pain and kept cooking, turning the small restaurant into a popular eatery. She put in 16 hour days, seven days a week to ensure her success.
