Town Crier Articles

The newly-opened El Patio Restaurant brings more than brightly colored walls and flashy neon lights, it marks the triumphant return to cuisine that has become in recent years as American as apple pie - that's right - Mexican food...and queso. Lots of queso.

 

You'll find the location comfortably familiar as El Patio sits next to the (we hope) soon-to-reopen New Town Cinemas in a spot that was formerly home to El Tapatio, which left the space (and our queso-loving hearts) vacant almost two years ago. You may find something else a bit familiar...the food. Chef Pedro was the culinary talent behind the original El Tapatio, which first brightened that same corner several years prior. After opening El Patio, Pedro moved on the Jose Tequilas (a sister restaurant of same ownership) before he agreed to return under El Patio's owners, John & Renee Harrell. 

 

Harrell and his wife are first-time restaurant owners hoping to make New Town home in more ways than one. Just weeks after opening El Patio, the Harrell family relocated in Toano into the Village Walk neighborhood of New Town with their children. Harrell says that he and his wife (who is of Peruvian descent) originally considered opening a Peruvian restaurant (we can still hope, right?) but were eager to bring Mexican food back to New Town. While the menu offers many familiar staples of Mexican cuisine, it also features one of this author's favorites - Birria Tacos (pic below), a semi-spicy beef braised in a chile consomme and grilled into tacos shells, which are then dipped back into that consomme as you devour them. This very traditional Mexican dish was once served only on special occasions, but has gained wild popularity on American menus in recent years and is a must-try for all who love tacos.

 

If you enjoy an oversized Margarita or a refreshing El Guapo cerveza with your South-of-the-border fare, Harrell reports that they expect to have their ABC on/off license by the end of the first week of March. 

 

Be sure to visit your new new neighbors and this as well as all of our New Town restaurants as Covid restrictions ease.