New restaurant off Richmond Road with large patio a hidden oasis for Mexican food
A new Mexican restaurant in Lexington is playing up a special feature that could help it stand out during the coronavirus pandemic: It’s called El Patio because it has a large outdoor dining space, according to manager Gustavo Zamudio.
That’s been a boon over the few weeks they’ve been open, he said, giving them plenty of space to seat customers outside during the fall weather, complete with umbrellas and strings of lights.
“We’re trying to do our best for our customers,” he said.
The restaurant at 2628 Richmond Rd. is behind a car wash and a Qdoba, next to the Parisa International Supermarket. It’s in the former location of Life Brewpub, which closed in 2018.
It opened Sept. 11, before El Patio had its liquor license, Zamudio said, so they could start attracting customers.
“We’ve been here for about a month, and I want to say thank you to all the customers,” he said. Several already have become repeat patrons, he said.
Those who have found their way to the hidden place have found a restaurant eager to accommodate any taste.
Zamudio said that the menu is mostly Americanized Mexican food, with Tex-Mex favorites like fajitas, enchiladas, burritos and tacos. One of the big favorites so far: The generously proportioned carne asada.
“It’s a huge piece of steak, very tender,” he said. “We have salmon too. We have vegetable plates. All different kinds for different kinds of people.”
While the menu isn’t voluminous, Zamudio said that almost any dish can be made by request. Looking for vegetarian options? They can do it, he said.
Even vegan and gluten-free diets can be accommodated, he said.
“We want customers to feel like they are at home,” he said. “We treat people like family, because we really like our jobs. We want everybody to be happy, with the food, the service, everything in here ... that’s the most important thing for us.”
Zamudio said the restaurant’s philosophy is that if a customer doesn’t like something, “we change it. If you don’t like it, you don’t pay.”
Now that they have a liquor license El Patio has begun serving margaritas, including “mangoritas,” as well as bottled beer. Eventually, he said, they hope to add taps for draft beer.
El Patio offers daily specials, posted on their Facebook page, such as two for one margaritas on Saturday as well as lunch specials.
Carryout and inside seating are also available.
Eventually the restaurant hopes to add live music on the patio, he said.
El Patio
Where: 2628 Richmond Rd.
Hours: Open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Online: Facebook.com/elpatiolatinfood
Call: 859-494-3642
