Photo: Buck Lava via Flickr
Henry “Hank” Silva, owner of Bill’s Taco House in South East L.A., has passed away at age 88. A WWII-vet, Silva bought the stand in the 50’s and originally charged just 25 cents for his hamburger meat and fried shell tacos, which are still being served. The storefront has been popular with passing locals, U.S.C. students, and occasional celebrities like Barry White, who in a quote from Silva’s granddaughter via LATaco, came by to eat both before and after he became famous. Silva was prized in his South L.A. neighborhood, and his property protected during The Watts Rebellion. After selling the stand in 1985, he helped found a Headstart school that neighbors Bill’s Taco House to this day.
HenryHank Silva R.I.P. [LATaco]
