THE business brains behind American-style diner Dogwood BX are now bringing a taste of Mexico to Bathurst.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Evan and Lex Stanley are set to open El Guapo Cantina in early October, at the old Secret Garden location on Keppel Street.
A Mexican restaurant is something the pair have had in the back of their minds ever since Dogwood opened last year.
But the opportunity only presented itself after Tommys Tex-Mex closed recently.
The idea to open a Mexican restaurant had always been in the back of our mind but we didnt want to compete with Tommys when they were open because everyone loves Tommys and we are really close with Tommy, Ms Stanley said.
After Tommy called to let us know that he was going to be closing his doors, our minds went into overdrive.
We couldnt live in a town without a Mexican restaurant.
But where Tommys was focused on Mexican-American fusion food, El Guapo will be focused on serving solely authentic Mexican food and drinks.
READ MORE: Diners love smokin hot Dogwood, BX
Weve got the American-style covered at Dogwood and now we want to have a traditional Mexican-style restaurant at El Guapo, Ms Stanley said.
Well have a bunch of entrées but then were going to have a range of tacos for mains and then well have desserts. We want to keep it simple but traditional.
The first phase of El Guapo will see the front room transformed into a sit-down restaurant, with takeaway options where the food would be prepared at the restaurant but the consumer would put the dish together at home.
Phase two, transforming the spacious courtyard into a beer garden, is expected to be done by early December, just in time for summer.
Well have sangria on tap and some cool tequila cocktails, Ms Stanley said.
Well also be getting a slushy margarita machine, just in time for summer.
Once completed, the restaurant will be able to host events, music and stand-up comedy nights.
While you’re here
You can now receive online headlines from the Western Advocate delivered straight to your inbox at 6am six days a week. To make sure youre up-to-date with all news across the Bathurst region, sign up here.