Not many Manhattan Beach merchants can claim 50 years in business. Here's your chance to celebrate El Sombrero's half-century anniversary with special deals and other surprises.  

This month's anniversary specials at "El Som #1" on Manhattan Ave. include: 

Oct. 13 (Monday) - Buy one margarita and get the second one for 50 cents

Oct 15 (Wednesday) - 50 cent Coronas

Oct. 20 (Monday) - #12 Combo (one cheese enchilada, rice and beans) for $1.25

Oct. 22 (Wednesday) - Two enchilada dinners for $19.75

Week of Oct. 27 - Sonora Burritos for $10.50 (lunch or dinner)

(Specials run from 3:00 p.m. until close, and are limited to three items max per person.) There will be additional goodies and surprises all month long. 

El Sombrero, the iconic Mexican restaurant at 1005 Manhattan Ave., was founded in 1975. Family owned, and with just 16 tables, it has welcomed generations of families. For many teens and tweens participating in Junior Guards at the beach, it is the first restaurant they go to without their parents. 

The restaurant faced its most challenging moments in November 2006, when a fire destroyed its 1940s-era building on Manhattan Ave. With assistance from the community, through a "10th Street Fire Fund," the restaurant was able to open again in a newly constructed building in 2009. 

A second El Sombrero (El Sombrero #2) is located on Aviation Blvd. in East Manhattan Beach.