Don Juan Mexican Bar & Grill to open on Ann Arbor's West Stadium
Related story: Halal Mexican restaurant to open on Ann Arbor's Plymouth Road in August
The Boulevard Plaza shopping center on the west side of Ann Arbor has a new tenant: Don Juan Mexican Bar & Grill.
Juan Hernandez — owner of the Los Amigos Mexican restaurants on Hilton Boulevard in Ann Arbor and East Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti Township — signed a lease for a 2,500-square-foot space at 2135 W. Stadium Blvd., in the shopping center anchored by Ace Barnes Hardware and Arbor Farms Market.
Don Juan Mexican Bar & Grill plans to open on West Stadium Boulevard this summer.
Lizzy Alfs | AnnArbor.com
The space, formerly occupied by Senor Lopez Taqueria, is situated between Mattress & Futon Shop and H&R Block, fronting West Stadium Boulevard. It was listed for lease with Max Goldman and Lou Frango of Ludwig & Seeley.
David Corona, general manager of the Los Amigos restaurants, said the new restaurant will be similar to Los Amigos with the same Mexican fare and margaritas.
“We’re using the same menu and it’s the same concept as Los Amigos, it just has a different name,” he said.
Hernandez took ownership of the former El Camino Real restaurant near Briarwood Mall several years ago, changing the name to Los Amigos. He also owns a Los Amigos restaurant in Westland, Mich.
Corona said steady business at the Ann Arbor Los Amigos restaurant prompted them to start looking at expanding in the area.
“We already have one store in Ann Arbor, and how customers reacted to the first location, that’s one of the reasons we wanted to get another store in Ann Arbor,” he said.
Corona said renovations are underway at the space on West Stadium Boulevard, where a "coming soon" sign is hanging in the window. He said they hope to open the restaurant in August, and he's hiring about 15 employees.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
a2terri
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 11:04 a.m.
This is very exciting news! I hope they will have great vegetarian offerings - especially Tamales. I love La Fiesta Mexicana's authentic, excellent bean tamales - but it is quite the unpleasant drive to get them. I spent two summers in Mexico and I appreciate good Mexican food.
JimB
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 2:52 a.m.
Lousy food and slow service a few times in a row......stopped going there a few years ago
An Arborigine
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 1:05 a.m.
Welcome to the 'hood
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 11:06 p.m.
Can we swap you for the one opening in Plymouth Mall? Something tells me the menu here will be a bit more extensive.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 12:03 a.m.
No, but you can have all our dollar stores.
oblivia
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 8:37 p.m.
I hope they don't paint over those beautiful murals from Senor Lopez. They depict the culture of his home region in Mexico.
FredMax
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 6:20 p.m.
More Mexican restaurants than one can shake a burrito at. All with pretty similar offerings too, seems like the numbers are getting past demand.
Rizzle
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 5:27 p.m.
History question. Before the A2 Los Amigos was Los Tres Amigos and Camino Real, it was Road Runner correct? What was that location before Road Runner? I looked on arborwiki and found it was a place called Jojos in the 80s but I'm sure it has been other businesses in between then and now.
seldon
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 10:29 p.m.
Before that, it was a Chinese place called The Mandarin. Started out great, but slid downhill.
Halter
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 6:54 p.m.
Azure for awhile...similar to Zanzibar with same owners
Rizzle
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 5:20 p.m.
Big fan of both Ypsi and A2 Los Amigos. And a great happy hour!
A2jo
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 4:49 p.m.
I STILL MISS La Pinata !!!!!! It was theee-Best !! am I alone here folks
Slim Jim
Sat, Jul 20, 2013 : 2:33 a.m.
The best Mexican food in Ann Arbor! Miss it a lot.
Cole Bertsos
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 4:56 p.m.
Considering how young I was when La Piñata was around, I definitely think it's a testament to how memorable and awesome it was. I STILL get a craving for food from there every now and then.
seldon
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 4:03 p.m.
Sadly, this is "one step above Chi Chi's" Mexican, not good Mexican.
treetowncartel
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 3:40 p.m.
I wish the owners of Dos Hermano's would open up a restaurant. The little food they prepare in their store is phenomenal.
jen777
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 3:17 p.m.
I was not terribly impressed with Los Amigos - it isn't that hard to have decent Mexican food
CLX
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 8:37 p.m.
It must be, because I've never had decent Mexican in Ann Arbor or Ypsi, but always willing to try the next place ...
jcj
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 2:04 p.m.
I seldom eat Mexican. But I am always happy to see new businesses on the west side. Welcome.
Lou Perry
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 1:01 p.m.
Los Amigos great food and exceptional staff.
Usual Suspect
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 12:47 p.m.
I've been waiting for good Mexican food on our side of town and we won't have to mess with the traffic Charlie Foxtrot around Briarwood anymore. Welcome to the neighborhood!
Brad
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 11:21 p.m.
@Doug - looks like the La Pinata and/or guac haters are out. How do you even explain things like that??
dougfroma2
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 5:33 p.m.
I agree with Brad. Still miss the great guacamole from LaPinta.
Usual Suspect
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 5:07 p.m.
Mere opinion
fjord
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 4:50 p.m.
Chela's and Taco King are both better than Los Amigos -- and have been on your side of town for a while now.
Arboriginal
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 3:36 p.m.
Chela's.
Usual Suspect
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 1:06 p.m.
Aye, Brad.
Brad
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 1:03 p.m.
Still trying to fill the GAPING hole left behind by La Pinata's demise!
JB A2
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : noon
Maybe the west side of Ann Arbor can now be dubed "Mexican-Town" I mean take a look how many Mexican Food places are in the area of the intersection of Liberty & West Stadium! Hope they will have some good flan like Sabor Latino downtown
seldon
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 4:04 p.m.
For me, Taco King. Chela's is good, but isn't quite right.
Lizzy Alfs
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 2:44 p.m.
Yes - so many choices! I still need to try Pilar's.. What places are your favorites?
Lynn Liston
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 2:29 p.m.
I was thinking the same thing yesterday as I drove West on Liberty. With La Libertad, Pilar's and Chela's, all that was needed was an anchor restaurant to give this side of town a 'destination' identity for good Mexican food. Now if someone will open a Mexican bakery like the one in MexicanTown in Detroit... And welcome to another good restaurant on the Far West Side.
Billy
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 12:15 p.m.
Well we've had a large mexican/central american population on this side of town for a while now, so it would make sense that we have businesses that cater to that demographic. I'm really glad we have those businesses too ever since we lost La Pinata. Consequently Chelas is awesome food too, but their menu is a little lacking. That doesn't keep me from eating there though...their food is still REALLY good. If they were to expand the menu it just wouldn't feel the same I'm sure.
Billy
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 11:50 a.m.
"Juan Hernandez — owner of the Los Amigos Mexican restaurants..." That is AWESOME news...I've enjoyed Los Amigos' food before and I consider them one of the best mexican restaurants in the area.
sellers
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 11:14 a.m.
Was the Hilton location a Los Tres Amigos when it was partnered with a store near Toldeo, and then became El Camino Real with a name change?
Lizzy Alfs
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 2:43 p.m.
Yes, that's right.
mr_annarbor
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 11:11 a.m.
Yuck. Los Amigos is mediocre at best.
Gretchen Ridenour
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 10:37 a.m.
I love that Los Amigos in Ypsilanti is a booming business.
Resident A2
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 10:33 a.m.
Yeah. I love Los Amigos and had gladly waited for a table on a weekend night. I am thrilled that they are opening a restaurant on this side of town!
Halter
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 10:06 a.m.
So so glad this side of town is getting some decent restaurants now
Unknown
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 11:18 p.m.
I agree 100%