Editor's note: This article was originally published on March 20 and updated with more information on March 21.
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President Joe Biden paid a visit to the longtime South Phoenix Mexican restaurant El Portal on Tuesday.
“When my wife and I bought the restaurant 25 years ago, we wanted to have a place where we could open up to the community to come and have interaction with some government officials and some elected officials," says Earl Wilcox, who owns El Portal with his wife Mary Rose. "We never dreamt we would have a president come and visit our restaurant."
During the visit, Biden made a personal appeal to Latino voters, saying, "I need you back," according to the Associated Press. About a quarter of expected Arizona voters in the upcoming presidential election rematch between Biden and former President Donald Trump are Latino, according to the NALEO Education Fund.
President Joe Biden visited El Portal Mexican Restaurant on Tuesday. During a speech at the longtime South Phoenix restaurant, he emphasized the importance of Latino voters in the upcoming election.
El Portal Mexican Restaurant
Earl says they learned on Friday that the campaign was interested in stopping at El Portal.
"Then Saturday, Sunday and Monday was total chaos around the neighborhood,” Earl says, noting the influx of people to secure the area and ready for the event.
Three generations of the Wilcox family were on hand to welcome the president and prepare finger foods, which included flautas, taquitos and guacamole that had to be prepared next door at the American Legion Post 41.
Three generations of the Wilcox family were on hand to welcome the president and prepare finger foods, which included flautas, taquitos and guacamole that had to be prepared next door at the American Legion Post 41.
“We had to turn off all the gas in the kitchen," Earl says. "We cooked everything there and brought it in."
During the nearly two-hour visit, Earl says Biden was "real personal," shaking the hand of every person in the space, which Earl says can hold up to 75 people.
During the nearly two-hour visit, Earl says Biden was "real personal," shaking the hand of every person in the space, which Earl says can hold up to 75 people.
“I said, Mr. President, this is a historical. You’re lifting up our little neighborhood here, our barrio," Earl says. “You’re really inspiring us by you coming to the restaurant and choosing to be with us."
"Our Wilcox and Rhymes family are very thankful for this incredible blessing and wonderful opportunity to host and feed PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN!" El Portal Mexican Restaurant shared on its Facebook page.
El Portal Mexican Restaurant
El Portal serves breakfast and lunch, Tuesday through Sunday, including chilaquiles and huevos rancheros as well as burritos, enchiladas and chile rellenos. El Portal is also adorned with murals by Jose Andres Giron depicting the owners as well as historic Latino and Hispanic leaders, including Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Cesar Chavez.
Biden spoke about economic, health and housing issues, but what Earl says resonated with him most was Biden noting the impact of the Latino vote. Earl says his family is committed to doing what they can to deliver that vote in Arizona.
Biden spoke about economic, health and housing issues, but what Earl says resonated with him most was Biden noting the impact of the Latino vote. Earl says his family is committed to doing what they can to deliver that vote in Arizona.
The democratic duo has also hosted politicos including U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Gov. Katie Hobbs and Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is running for Kyrsten Sinema's vacated U.S. Senate seat.
President Joe Biden visited El Portal Mexican Restaurant on Tuesday, owned by Mary Rose and Earl Wilcox (seen at right).
El Portal Mexican Restaurant
Earl says that the family broke down everything after the Tuesday event and opened for normal business hours on Wednesday morning. Despite that, he says they don't feel back to normal yet.
"Because of all the publicity people have stormed the restaurant," Earl says, noting the restaurant staff have seen dozens of new customers since Biden came to El Portal.
"Because of all the publicity people have stormed the restaurant," Earl says, noting the restaurant staff have seen dozens of new customers since Biden came to El Portal.
