A legacy that began with an extraordinary man

More than fifty years ago, a man named Don Francisco — fondly known by family and friends as “el Champion” — found in a small Coyoacán eatery far more than a business: he found the chance to build a legacy.

That little eatery was already called Los Tres Caballos, named after the three sons of its first owner. Don Francisco chose to keep the name and, with tireless work, vision and an immense passion for Mexico, turned that small place into one of the most iconic traditional restaurants in Coyoacán.

But what truly made Los Tres Caballos great was never only its spaces, its halls or the growth of the business. It was the way Don Francisco understood life.

The man behind the name

He was born and raised in Mexico City, in a large family. After his father passed away, he took on the responsibility of providing for his family from a very young age. He learned that effort, discipline and honest work were the path to a better future, and he carried those values with him all his life.

He was deeply proud of his Mexican roots. He loved mariachi music so much that he even recorded an album as a charro singer. He appeared as an extra in the film A Toda Máquina alongside Pedro Infante, performing the stunts he had learned during his time in the Coyoacán traffic police. His love for Mexico wasn't a speech; it was a way of living.

Those who knew him remember a generous, cheerful and hospitable man. Always surrounded by friends and family, he sat at the restaurant's main table, personally welcoming everyone who arrived. He loved to talk, share stories and make each person feel at home.

That saying was never only about food. It was about living from a place of abundance. For Don Francisco it was always better to give too much than to fall short, and that mindset showed in the generous plates he served, in the quality of the ingredients, in the care of the staff and in every detail of the restaurant.

It also showed in his personal life. He loved gathering his whole family, hosting big celebrations, welcoming friends into his home and making sure no one had to worry about a thing. He built spaces meant to be shared, gave relatives job opportunities, and was an entrepreneur who understood that success only made sense when it could be shared with others.

Over the years, Los Tres Caballos grew alongside him. The halls began to fill with memories, photographs, masks brought from around the world, hunting trophies, paintings and gifts from customers and friends. Each object tells a story and honors the thousands of people who have been part of this great family.

The heart behind the restaurant

If Don Francisco was the one who dreamed up this place, María Elena has been essential in keeping that dream alive. With love, dedication and enormous strength, she has accompanied the restaurant's growth for decades, making sure the essence it was born with is never lost.

Thanks to her work, commitment and love for the family, Los Tres Caballos has remained a gathering place for entire generations who still come together around a table to celebrate life.

The third generation

Today, Los Tres Caballos is run by the family's third generation. With deep respect for the story that began more than half a century ago, the commitment is clear: to preserve the tradition while we keep evolving.

• We still prepare many of the original recipes that made the restaurant famous.
• We still make our dishes to order.
• We still make tortillas fresh.
• We still believe a good meal should be abundant.
• We still listen to mariachi every day.
• And above all, we still make every guest feel at home.