The
location: Dexter stalks “Handsome Tony” Ferrar outside of a Cuban cafe
Q.
What is it supposed to be on the show?
A. A Cuban restaurant.
Q.
Where is it supposed to be on the show?
A. In or near Miami, Florida.
Q.
When did we see it on the show?
A. We see this location in Episode 3, of Season 1.
Dexter is
stalking “Handsome Tony” Ferrar, a ruthless loan shark who exploits his own people.
We see Dexter sitting In his truck, outside of a Cuban cafe, studying Ferrar's rap sheet.
Tony comes out of the restaurant (which is adorned with Cuban posters),
takes a puff on his cigar, then mingles with some customers sitting at
the stone tables outside the cafe.
Dexter, watching from across the street, takes note of the white alligator shoes that Tony is wearing.
Q.
What is it actually in real life?
A. A Mexican restaurant.
Q.
Where can I find it in real life?
A. This scene was filmed outside of Rincon Taurino, a Mexican restaurant located at 8708 Van Nuys Blvd., in Panorama City, CA.
The name “Rincon Taurino” translates roughly to “Bullfighting Corner”,
and those unusual symbols on the outside of the restaurant are actually
the brands of ranches famous for breeding bulls for the bullring.
Like many of this year's filming locations, it is located on the east side of L.A.'s San Fernando Valley.
It's about seven miles northwest of their new studio, and about 4 miles northwest of the Morgan family home .
It's at the north end of Plaza de Valle center. And it's literally next door to L.A. Kings Valley Ice Center.
A. I learned long ago that they like
to shoot more than one scene in the same general area. When they have
found a unique location, they will often shoot more generic things
nearby. It saves travel time and money.
So, when I discover
where one scene was shot, I tend to look around the neighborhood (via
StreetView) to see if I recognize any other missing locations nearby .
I had been researching the nearby Plaza de Valle,
a colorful Mexican-American shopping plaza In Panorama City, where
they had shot another of Deb & Dexter buying earrings, and while checking
out various StreetViews of the block, I stumbled across this cafe and
recognized it by the unusual bullfighting symbols on the outside of the
restaurant. A quick comparison with the scene verified that it was the
same place.
