Padrinos Mexican Restaurant is bringing the West Coast to the Midwest with California-style tacos. The restaurant is scheduled to open in early August at 3143 S. Grand, in part of the former Mangia Italiano space. (The relocated Steve’s Hot Dog’s is the other new tenant.)
Padrinos will bring a new offering to the South Grand dining scene. “We’re providing something that I believe South Grand has been looking for for a while,” says co-owner/operations manager Christina Robles, who will run the restaurant alongside husband Enrique and friends Ciro Trapala and Rafa Rosas.
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The expansive menu spans 100-plus items, including an array of Mexican cuisine including Tex Mex, with all the staples: burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, fajitas, nachos, salads, soups, tacos, and desserts. There are also sections featuring beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian dishes—”a little something for everyone,” says Christina.
The restaurant’s specialty, however, will be crispy tacos, a favorite in California. The crispy taco isn’t deep fried but rather fried on a comal flat griddle with the contents inside and then garnished with sauce. Among the protein choices, Padrinos plans to offer steak and chicken.
The restaurant will also include a full-service bar, with a margarita called the Margarita Upgrade, a shot of strawberry rum for a $2 upcharge.
The interior will consist of vibrant colors and offer additional seating downstairs. Christina hopes the atmosphere will make customers “feel at home and feel something different”—a sentiment reflected in the restaurant’s name, which means “godparents” in Spanish.
