After about a month closed, El Mariachi Authentic Mexican Restaurant opened their new location on Hwy 71 at the previous Elks Lodge.
El Mariachi owners Santos Gonzalez, left, and Yeri Gonzalez, right, celebrate the opening of their new location at 647 Jefferson Street N, Wadena on Dec. 5, 2021. The restaurant was previously on Hwy 10 by the fairgrounds. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
While winter stormed in on Sunday, El Mariachi’s celebration swung in high fashion at their new location on Hwy 71. After
buying the former Elks Lodge in June 2021
, the team added exterior red siding, interior painting on the bar side, new tile, windows, tables, booths and chairs from Mexico, and expanded the kitchen.
“To attract more people,” said owner Yeri Gonzalez about what the team is looking forward to. “They say this highway is more popular especially in the summer for the lakes.”
Family, friends, city representatives and business leaders congratulated the staff on the bright and beautiful space in a soft opening. The public got their first enjoyment of the space on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 5.
At their soft opening, Santos Gonzalez, left, Yeri Gonzalez, Perla Ramirez, Roni Lopez, Yaneth Perez and Elvin Daniel Lopez celebrate the opening of their new location on Dec. 5, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
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The previous Elks Lodge bar remains in the new El Mariachi restaurant on Hwy 71. People can sit on the bar and dining area sides with room for about 250 people. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
With bright new windows and beautiful chairs, El Mariachi has seating for about 250 people at their new location on Hwy 71. The location opened on Dec. 5, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
The team, including owners Santos and Yeri Gonzalez, Perla Ramirez, Roni Lopez, Yaneth Perez and Elvin Daniel Lopez, originally
opened the Hwy 10 location in 2018
.
“The community loves you,” said Mayor George Deiss.
City of Wadena councilman Wade Miller, left, Mayor George Deiss and Julie Deiss congratulate the El Mariachi team on their new restaurant location on Dec. 5, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
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With congratulations all around, Santos Gonzalez, left, Yeri Gonzalez and Yaneth Perez celebrate re-opening for business at the new El Mariachi location on Hwy 71. Family, friends, city representatives and business leaders congratulated the staff on the bright and beautiful space in a special soft opening on Dec. 5, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
Red siding adorns the new El Mariachi location at the previous Elks Lodge building on Hwy 71. The restaurant re-opened on Dec. 5, 2021 after being closed about one month. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
With final preparations in place in October, El Mariachi planned to close for a week but a required state inspection took about a month. Wadena County transitioned from county-lead approval to state approval for the
food, pools and lodging program
due to increased program requirements and staffing issues. The restaurant now has space for about 250 people.
The
Elks are moving
to the previous All Around Divas, or Cyber Cafe, building downtown. The community club will continue their mission in their new space.
El Mariachi is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 647 Jefferson Street S, Wadena.
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1/2: El Mariachi had bar stools shipped from Mexico for their new location. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
2/2: Booths, tables and chairs from Mexico match the tables from El Mariachi's Hwy 10 location. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
1/2: El Mariachi had bar stools shipped from Mexico for their new location. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
2/2: Booths, tables and chairs from Mexico match the tables from El Mariachi's Hwy 10 location. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
