We just heard from Kara Ceriello of Not a Number that Selena’s Guadalajara is leaving Wallingford, and TOMORROW may be their very last day. Kara wrote:
They’re all done here in Wallingford by the end of the month – I announced this at yesterday’s chamber meeting, to loud gasps – and we just heard they may have decided that TOMORROW, Saturday, is their very last day!
Then, to make matters worse, she told us about an incident that happened this afternoon, involving Selena’s owner, Laura, and a shady character:
Laura, the owner, just ran past our store (Not A Number), calling for Jon to help her chase down a guy who’d grifted some $ from her and was trying at other businesses (earlier Wallyhood story?)… she was about to smack him but when they caught up with him by the Chase bank he said “here! take the money! just stay away from me!” Then he ran off with Jon yelling at him to stay out of our neighborhood.
We’re sorry to see you go, Selena’s. ¡Muchas gracias por todo!
We at Not A Number are horribly sad to see Selena’s go! Please patronize them in their final days (not sure about the closing day yet). Laura makes a mean margarita!
Where is Selena’s going? Why — is it lack of business or shady characters? Do we know how this guy grifted money?
They’ll be missed- we saw Selena grow up there!
Sad indeed. Laura is awesome, and their food is good. I wish they weren’t going, but I wish them the best of luck in their new location. Hopefully we will find out where that is, and go patronize them there.
My Wallingford says they are moving to shoreline.
I hope many Wallingfordites will go down to Selena’s Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant (1715 N 45th) today and tonight, at least to say goodbye to the hardworking, fun family who’s run it these past five years. OR go have a delicious, stiff margarita – Laura the manager became an excellent bartender! And come over to Not A Number to sign a GoodbyeWe’llMissYou card….
Laura, her husband Miguel the chef, 14 yr old Selena (also president of the Not A Number Kids Club), and her brother Noe (11 yr old VP and lil’ genius) will be there by about 5 pm today, and it’s also the last live music salsa night there, starting after 9 pm.
They’ve been good friends, fans of Wallingford, and a great part of the community the whole time. They’ve been Chamber members, have donated to a ton of raffles and fundraisers for the chamber, Solid Ground, FamilyWorks, the Kids Club Japan Relief raffle, Fremont chamber’s Candidate Picnic in the Park, and much more. We’ll miss them terribly. But look for their new restaurant, simply called Selena’s, in Shoreline (at 15th & 145th, closer to where they live) to open soon! Another Mexican restaurant is coming in to the Guadalajara space apparently.
oh! also:
the guy who gave the money back to Laura, had come in asking for $ to fix his car or something. someone at Selena’s apparently gave him several bucks. but Laura became suspicious and decided to follow him. she saw him go into other businesses asking for the same, and by the time she was down here on our block he was running from her. so she called to Jon to come out and help, and by the end of the block the guy was scared Laura would hit him (and i bet she would’ve!), so he gave the money to her and asked to be left alone.
i believe this was a guy mentioned in a previous wallyhood piece. watch out for these people!
sorry – lastly, the reason they’re leaving is that their 5 year lease is up, and the building owner wanted to rent to another restaurant. they had had some difficulty with him when they had leaks and other issues.
why do i know this, and why am i posting their info, you may wonder! i’m a friend, and i personally tried to assist with certain issues while they were chamber members. plus, Laura’s a bit shy and told me i should go ahead and tell everyone they’re moving!
btw, we also love Rancho Bravo and Bandolero, and sometimes miss Taco Del Mar (used to be in Wford Center)….
What, no love for Taco Time? 😉
Seriously, sorry to hear about Selena’s Wallingford demise.
right – actually we love Taco Time’s salads and of course the (non-Mexican) tots!
Anyone remember Macheesmo Mouse? (Not Ethnically Pure, either, I’m sure.)
Don’t forget Chile Pepper!
There used to be a great Taco del Mar in the basement of the Wallingford Center.
I’ll miss Selena’s. I think my first repeat visit to a Wallingford restaurant was to Selena’s. Obviously I’ve frequented many more restaurants, many more times, since then… but it brings me back to some of my first weeks in Seattle. Selena’s was my comfort food!