Demolition crews began tearing down the original Casa Molina at East Speedway and North Wilmot this week.
A demolition permit was issued for the property more than two years ago.
Gilbert Molina built the location in 1947, as a way to showcase his sister's cooking, according to an Absolutely Arizona segment KGUN's Pat Parris produced in 2018.
Molina's son, Gilbert Molina, Jr., told Pat that his dad built the restaurant from the ground-up, right down to constructing the furniture.
Members of the Molina family opened several locations over the years, including Casa Molina del Norte, at 3001 N. Campbell Ave.
The different restaurant locations became destinations for celebrities filming and living in Tucson; John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor and Paul McCartney were among them.
The Speedway location closed after a grease fire in 2022 and never reopened.
