Gardenland-Northgate Restaurant Comes Home

Miguel and Beatrice Gomez at 524 Mexican Restaurant #2 in the Northgate-Gardenland area of Natomas.

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Family-owned 524 Mexican Restaurant now has two eateries in Natomas in addition to its 12th Street location downtown.

524 Mexican Restaurant’s beginnings date back to a gambling debt collected by family patriarch Miguel Gomez.

The Gomez family opened 524 #2 in Gardenland-Northgate in 1973. The restaurant operated at the location for more than 20 years until Amalia Gomez, Gomez’s widow, moved it north to a location on Northgate Boulevard adjacent to Interstate 80.

But late in 2013, the Gomez’s son Miguel Jr. opened a third restaurant – known as 524 #3 – in the original Gardenland-Northgate location. (An international eatery occupied the space after 524 #2’s move.)

“I remember eating here as a kid,” Monica Rodriguez said.

524 Mexican Restaurant #3 serves traditional Mexican fare. It’s lunch specials are popular, Gomez said.

“Just today, a customer said it felt like being back home,” said Beatrice Gomez, Miguel Jr.’s wife.

524 #3 is located at 2377 Northgate Blvd. (916) 920-8640