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Opponents Accuse Newsom of Indoor Dining in Fresno. Governor Denies.
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
March 1, 2021

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After holding a news conference in central Fresno on Friday to discuss the state’s vaccination efforts, Gov. Gavin Newsom stopped by Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant on Blackstone and Shaw avenues. After pictures of the visit were posted on social media, several accused Newsom of dining indoors, an allegation his office denies.

The governor’s office denied he dined indoors, an account confirmed by Los Amigos’ owner.

“He showed up at a restaurant and he never ate there. We just haved a talk with him,” Los Amigos owner Ricardo Flores said.

Newsom visited Los Amigos to met with a business that received a state grant.

“The governor stopped by this small business to highlight that the owner received a California Relief Grant. An additional $2 billion in state funding for small businesses was made available to provide grants of up to $25,000 to help entrepreneurs hurt by this pandemic. The governor did not dine in this restaurant,” Newsom press secretary Daniel Lopez said.

The post included two pictures. One featured entertainer George Lopez, who accompanied Newsom to both the news conference and Los Amigos. The image shows a mirror reflecting what appears to be a set table in the background, behind the two men.

Flores said staff set up a table to provide water and ice.

“We even offered a bottled water and he (Newsom) didn’t want to take it,” Flores said.

Indoor dining is not allowed under state and local emergency orders because of the pandemic. Newsom faced heavy criticism for eating at the fancy French Laundry restaurant in Napa in November. He apologized for violating his own standards.

The French Laundry mishap energized an ongoing effort. Organizers say they are on the verge of having the amount of necessary signatures to qualify the recall on the ballot.

Faulconer, Others Accuse Newsom of Violating Indoor Dining Ban

Kevin Faulconer, the Republican former mayor of San Diego running for governor either in recall election or in 2022, pounced in a news release.

“Apparently incompetent elitist Gavin Newsom is still failing to live by the COVID-19 restrictions his administration has put in place,” Faulconer said, referring to a Tik Tok video. “He did this even though Fresno is in a purple tier county where indoor dining is banned. This comes after his infamous French Laundry debacle. Apparently, Newsom didn’t learn his lesson from the backlash he received after his hypocrisy was exposed.”

John Cox, another Republican pledging to run for governor, also criticized Newsom.

“It’s a pattern. Different rules, exception, and hypocrisy by the political elites. There’s no reason indoor dining should not be open statewide,” Cox wrote on Twitter.

A video, shot live and posted on the Facebook page of  conservative Fresno activists “The Oreo Express,” shows Newsom entering the restaurant and his entourage leaving approximately 41 minutes later.

Celebrity chef Andrew Gruel, a critic of Newsom, also jumped on the governor on social media.

“California is the only state where indoor dining is banned. Industry gutted. It’s an explosive topic. Newsom holds an event INSIDE a restaurant, posts video, and group is “dining/drinking” (see pic) – people are actually saying this is OK? If it’s ok for them then open it all up,” Gruel wrote.

Lopez Enjoyed Los Amigos

Los Amigos posted on its Facebook page that Lopez “tried our food in our outdoor patio after an anterview [sic] and he loved it!.” The text accompanied a 14 second video of Lopez endorsing the restaurant.

Lopez stuck around to eat in the outdoor patio after the governor left.

“He left a $400 tip,” Flores said.

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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