A family restaurant since 1993, Casa Emilio is a place where customers become part of the family, celebrating birthdays, singing along to live guitars, and knowing the waiters by name. For three decades, the restaurant operated without a printed menu. Instead, they used a chalkboard, and the waiters described each dish one by one. This tradition was part of the restaurant’s charm, but over time, it became challenging. New customers needed more structure to understand what the restaurant offered
Casa Emilio started receiving many new visitors, and they asked for something simple: a menu. The waiters, who used to explain each dish, were now too busy. They needed something more structured to help share everything Casa Emilio had to offer. Casa Emilio didn’t just need a menu, they needed to tell their story.
Luz and Emilio, the founders of Casa Emilio Restaurant, were a true inspiration as we explored the family restaurant’s history. We sat down and began sifting through memories, interviewing employees, reaching out to longtime clients, and reconnecting with friends from the early days.
The new menu demonstrates the restaurant’s joyful and vibrant atmosphere through bright colors. Every digital illustration and design choice was intentional, from the hand-drawn elements to the layout that guides the customer’s experience. The price sheet was designed to be functional and easy to update or reprint in case inflation arises. New customers understand the menu more easily, while loyal customers feel moved by the visual homage to a place they’ve cherished for years. The illustrations spark conversation, guests ask about the founders and the restaurant’s history. The menu became more than a tool; it became a bridge between past and present, between stories and meals.
Let’s make something authentic together.
