It all started in Tijuana, Mexico. Rafael, Sr. and Maria Vega worked at the famous resort, Aqua Caliente. Rafael’s brother, Alejandro Vega, was a merchant seaman that bought Irish Lottery ticket on the Rock of Gibraltor. He won. In the 1930’s with a loan from his brother, Rafael Sr., Maria and young Ray in tow, immigrated to the United States with dreams of owning a Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles.