New Lexington restaurants: Street taco stand, sports bar and a ‘Chinese/Mexican’ buffet
New Lexington restaurants are popping up all over town, despite continued occupancy restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.
Here are several new ones to add to your dining checklist, including a couple that are open already.
The list includes street tacos, bar food and a new buffet.
Here’s what’s new to town.
Papi’s Rapido
1214 South Broadway, facebook.com/PapisRapidoLex/. Owner Marcos Valdes is bringing his dream of Mexican street food served in fast-food style to life in a former Rally’s. The motto: “Tacos on the fly!”
The drive-through will have you ordering, paying and picking up quickly. Or you can order through a walk-up window, hang out and eat at picnic tables under umbrellas outside.
“When I saw coronavirus start, lot of people were more willing to go through drive-throughs than do regular dining, so we’ve been pushing to open as soon as possible,” Valdes said. “We believe it’s a good idea; there is a market for it.”
The menu includes street tacos, including about a dozen different varieties; tamales; quesadillas; and burritos, familiar to the fans of his Papi’s Mexican Restaurant on Euclid.
And there will be great vegan options, including a vegan chorizo, cauliflower pastor and even hibiscus flower tacos. He plans on soft-opening next week, with a grand opening June 26 and hopes to have a license to serve beer as well.
Papi’s Rapido will be open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday.
The Chatino Buffet
1395 West Main St., facebook.com/The-Chatino-Buffet-Chinese-Mexican-Food-100271544929145/. Chatino’s, which opened June 5, may be the only Chinese/Mexican restaurant open in Lexington. Owner and chef Anastacio Candelario is from Mexico, but he’s been cooking Chinese food for about 15 years.
So that’s what’s on the menu. It opens at 10 a.m. with a buffet until 4 p.m. and food by order available after that. There is some seating inside but it’s mostly takeout.
Jack’s Sandbar and Grill
2520 Nicholasville Rd., facebook.com/thesandbaratmalibu/. The Malibu Jack’s arcade and bowling alley will be reopening soon but you can visit the new sports-themed bar and grill inside now.
Sandbar also has a patio and serves a menu of burgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs and pizza, as well as appetizers like wings and brisket bites. Daily drink specials: Monday is Margarita Monday with $5 double margs all day.
Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
This story was originally published June 18, 2020 at 10:11 AM.
