Inside Look is a Fresno Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories.

For the past four decades, the legendary Mexican restaurant La Elegante has been a staple of Fresno's bustling taco scene, bringing together generations of taco enthusiasts to its downtown Fresno shop and food truck.

La Elegante taqueria was founded 40 years ago by the Arenas family. Patriarch Benito Arenas, who was born in Barranca de Santa Clara in Jalisco, Mexico died three years ago in June 2022 at the age of 88, leaving behind his wife, Celia, and their seven children - Alejandra, Abelardo, Adolfo, Adriana, Analia, Aide and Andreina.

"We feel very proud. It's not easy. Not many people can say they've been in the business for 40 years. It takes a lot of effort and determination," Abelardo Arenas said in Spanish.

La Elegante Taqueria was founded 40 years ago by the Arenas Family patriarch Benito Arenas, who was born in Barranca de Santa Clara in Jalisco, Mexico. Benito died three years ago in June 2022 at the age of 88, leaving behind his wife, Celia, and their seven children - Alejandra, Abelardo, Adolfo, Adriana, Analia, Aide and Andreina.

His father's legacy continues in Fresno with La Elegante Taqueria food truck and restaurant.

"Being on the job every day is what my dad and mom did and what they taught me, too," said Abelardo Arenas.

La Elegante, a Fresno favorite and community staple, first started serving asada and abodaba (chile-braised pork) tacos at a taco truck in 1985, then at a brick-and-mortar location in downtown Fresno in December 1993 when Benito Arenas expanded the family business.

Fresno's La Elegante Taqueria, a family-run restaurant known for award-winning tacos, celebrated its rich tradition and over 40 years of serving the community. The truck, a 1975 model, in the picture is the original truck that Benito Arenas started his taco truck business.

"And it is the same lonchera (taco truck) that has continued to operate," Abelardo said.

The family still runs the original taco truck that his father Benito Arenas bought to start the family business 40 years ago. The colorful blue food truck, a 1975 model, also pay tributes to La Elegante's founder. The words "Don Benito" are written on the side of the truck.

Abelardo, 56, is Benito's second-oldest son and runs the restaurant with his wife, Adela. The restaurant is located at 1423 Kern Street in Fresno's Chinatown neighborhood adjacent to downtown. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 56-year-old Abelardo Arenas, Benito Arenas' second-oldest son, runs La Elegante Taqueria restaurant with his wife Adela, located at 1423 Kern St., Fresno's Chinatown. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

His mother Celia, 75, and his sister Analia continue to operate the original taco truck at its original location. The taco truck is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 2373-2399 East Muscat Avenue in Fresno.

Abelardo said when his dad started the taco truck, all of his siblings, who were in their teens, chipped in to help. They cleaned the truck, washed dishes and worked at the taco truck's original location at Muscat and Maple avenues, located southeast of downtown Fresno off Highway 99.

Fresno's La Elegante Taqueria, a family-run restaurant known for award-winning tacos, celebrates its rich tradition and over 40 years of serving the community. The truck, a 1975 model, in the picture is the original truck that Benito Arenas started his taco truck business. Celia Arenas, 75, with her daughter Analia have continued to run truck at its original location at 2373-2399 E Muscat Ave, Fresno. The taco truck is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

"It has been many years of work," Abelardo said.

La Elegante, known for its asada tacos, celebrated its 40th anniversary in late April at the taco truck location on Muscat Avenue with Mariachi music as a tribute to the founder Benito Arenas.

"It was a tribute to him and a thank you to the customers," Abelardo said.

Heriberto Mejia is among La Elegante's many loyal customers.

"I've been coming here to eat since I was 12 years old, back in ‘96," said Mejia, of Fresno, who remembers Don Benito. "We've been coming here for a long time. We come every weekend."

"Very tasty, very good food," Mejia said in Spanish.

What he likes most is "the flavor and the meat that is well seasoned."

And Mejia's favorite dish, - the adobada tacos and birria - "needless to say, are the best," he said.

Fresno's La Elegante Taqueria, a family-run restaurant known for award-winning tacos, celebrates its rich tradition and over 40 years of serving the community. Celia Arenas, 75, with her daughter Analia have continued to run truck at its original location at 2373-2399 E Muscat Ave, Fresno. The taco truck is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

While the best seller is the asada tacos, Abelardo said "people really like the lengua (cow tongue) and the birria (tacos)."

"People like the flavor, the seasoning, the quality of the food, and the tacos that haven't changed in so many years," Abelardo said. "We are known for the tacos."

Besides tacos, La Elegante's menu includes tortas, burritos, and quesadillas.

La Elegante participated in Fresno's Taco Truck Throwdown for several years, winning a First Place People Choice award in 2011, and receiving both first place People and Judges' Choice award in 2014. The Food Network listed La Elegante's adobada taco as one of the best things to eat in California in 2016.

Located at 1423 Kern St., Fresno's Chinatown, La Elegante Taqueria is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

La Elegante Taqueria also received the National Elite Award Winner 10 Best Restaurants in Fresno in 2018.

Fresno's City Council and Mayor Jerry P. Dyer proclaimed April 27, 2025, "La Elegante Taqueria Day."

"People still prefer us," he said. "We keep doing what we do."

The Arenas family, left to right: Eliana Salas Arena, Abelardo Arenas, Andrena Arenas, Celia Arenas (the widow of Don Benito Arenas), Alejandra Arenas, Adolfo Arenas, Analia Arenas, Katia De La O Arenas, Aida Hinojosa Arenas and Azul Downs Arenas. The truck, a 1975 model, in the picture is the original truck that Benito Arenas started his taco truck business. The taco truck is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 2373-2399 E Muscat Ave, Fresno.

The 56-year-old Abelardo Arenas (right), runs La Elegante Taqueria restaurant with his wife Adela (left), located at 1423 Kern St., Fresno's Chinatown. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pictured too is Lety Landeros, (center) who has worked at the restaurant for more than 20 years.

Fresno's La Elegante Taqueria, a family-run restaurant known for award-winning tacos, celebrates its rich tradition and over 40 years of serving the community. Located at 1423 Kern St., Fresno's Chinatown, the restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fresno's La Elegante Taqueria, a family-run restaurant known for award-winning tacos, celebrated its rich tradition and over 40 years of serving the community. Celia Arenas, 75, with her daughter Analia have continued to run the original taco truck at its original location. The taco truck is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 2373-2399 E Muscat Ave, Fresno.

Fresno's La Elegante Taqueria, a family-run restaurant known for award-winning tacos, celebrates its rich tradition and over 40 years of serving the community.