Lucio Blázquez
Founder of Casa Lucio, the Cava Baja tavern in Madrid famous for huevos estrellados, which he opened in 1974 and now his children run day to day.
- Repsol Soles
1- Restaurants
- 1
- Born
- 1933 · Serranillos, Ávila
Lucio Blázquez, born in 1933 in Serranillos, Ávila, is the founder of Casa Lucio, the Cava Baja tavern in Madrid he opened under its own name in 1974 and made famous for huevos estrellados. Now 93, he remains associated with the restaurant, which his children María del Carmen, Fernando, and Javier now run day to day. Casa Lucio holds 1 Repsol Sol and has hosted decades of prominent guests.
Biography
Early years
Blázquez was born on 12 February 1933 in Serranillos, Ávila, into a family of livestock herders, and started working at around six years old as a slaughterhouse apprentice before later coming to Madrid at twelve with his father to work at Mesón El Segoviano, the Cava Baja tavern later renamed Casa Lucio.
Career
He worked his way up from menial kitchen tasks to manager and then owner of the tavern, buying it from its former owner, doña Petra, and renaming it Casa Lucio when he opened it under that name in November 1974. He ran it for decades, making it a Cava Baja institution known for huevos estrellados served table-side and for hosting a long list of prominent guests, including Spain's royal family. His three children, María del Carmen, Fernando, and Javier, now handle much of the restaurant's day-to-day running; they also run Los Huevos de Lucio, a more informal tavern the family opened across the street in 2001.
Philosophy
The kitchen has stayed close to traditional Castilian tavern cooking (huevos estrellados alongside a rotating guiso del día such as cocido or lentils) rather than following food trends.
Lucio Blázquez in our guides
Editorial guides featuring Lucio Blázquez’s restaurants.
Accolades
- ·1 Repsol Sol, Casa Lucio (current)
- ·Subject of the 2026 Nikon Gallery Madrid exhibition "Lucio Blázquez: Tabernero Mayor del Reino"
Frequently asked
Is Lucio Blázquez still alive?
Yes. Born on 12 February 1933, he turned 93 in 2026, when a Madrid photography exhibition, "Tabernero Mayor del Reino," reviewed his life at Casa Lucio.
Does Lucio Blázquez still run Casa Lucio?
He founded the restaurant and ran it for decades, but day-to-day operations are now largely handled by his three children, María del Carmen, Fernando, and Javier.
Does Casa Lucio have a Michelin star?
No. Casa Lucio holds 1 Repsol Sol.
What is Casa Lucio known for?
Huevos estrellados (broken eggs over fried potatoes), served table-side, along with a rotating daily guiso such as cocido.
Where was Lucio Blázquez born?
In Serranillos, a village in the province of Ávila, in 1933, into a family of livestock herders.
Are there other restaurants connected to Lucio Blázquez's family?
Yes. His children also run Los Huevos de Lucio, a more informal tavern they opened across the street from Casa Lucio in 2001.