Susana Diaz Plascencia

Susana Diaz Plascencia, 90, passed away March 3, 2011, at her home in Puerto Nuevo, Baja California. Born August 11, 1920, in the state of Colima, Mexico, Susana was one of ten children. Although her parents passed away early in her life and a malady took the lives of eight of her siblings, Susana and her one remaining sister were raised by godparents. As time went on, Susana forged ahead through many obstacles to become a very successful pioneer businesswoman who earned many awards and accolades for her achievements.

In 1955, Susana moved to Baja California because there was no work to be found in her native Colima. She worked at a restaurant in the Puerto Nuevo area and it was there that she met her future husband, José Plascencia Casillas. After they were married, José would catch lobster and Susana would deep-fry the crustaceans. Tourists were so enamored of her cooking that in 1956 Susana and José opened a small restaurant, Puerto Nuevo II, which became the first lobster establishment in Puerto Nuevo.

For over 55 years, she led her family in working diligently in the restaurant business in what became known as The Lobster Village, located fifteen miles south of Rosarito Beach. Susana and her husband were recognized as pioneers that “created a community out of virtually nothing on the barren coast of Baja.”

In 1985 the family opened a second location, La Casa de la Langosta. Today there are approximately three dozen restaurants in that area.

During her lifetime, Susana was awarded Citizen of the Year by the State de Baja California during its 58th Statehood Anniversary Celebration; and honored over time by the Tijuana and Rosarito Beach Chambers of Commerce as well as the Baja California Bureau of Tourism.

In reporting on her death, La Frontera newspaper in Baja California said Susana “leaves a culinary legend with her lobster recipe.”

Today, the Plascencia’s restaurants are managed by two of their daughters.

Up until her death, Susana visited Fallbrook frequently to visit her daughter and son-in-law, Elvira and Alfonso Ramos and granddaughters Karina and Melissa, who reside here.

Susana was preceded in death by her husband, Jose. She is survived by daughters Susana Plascencia of Puerto Nuevo, Baja California, Rosa Maria Plascencia of Puerto Nuevo, Baja California, and Elvira (Alfonso) Ramos of Fallbrook; seven grandchildren, Alan, Mayra, Franscisco, Yhazmin, Haydel, Melissa, and Karina; and two great grandchildren, Santiago and Valentina.

A service was held March 4, 2011 in Tijuana, Baja California at the Gonzalez funeral home.