Popular Lexington restaurant already expanding, going into Locals’ National Ave. spot
It’s got to say something about a restaurant’s food if they are able to expand even during a pandemic.
El Cid, the popular Mexican restaurant that opened on South Limestone in November 2019, is opening a second Lexington location at 701 National Ave., just off Winchester Road and Walton Avenue, owner Chris Bravo said.
Bravo said he plans to revamp the restaurant, which was formerly Locals’ Craft Food & Drink, and start serving in June. Locals’ closed for good after the March 2020 COVID shutdown began when the owners did not renew the lease.
The new El Cid menu will be the same as the University of Kentucky campus-area restaurant and will include Birria, the hot dish that has been flying out the doors of local Mexican restaurants.
The authentic Mexican stew has become El Cid’s most popular menu item, Bravo said. And he’ll have plenty of birria dishes, including birria ramen and queso pizza, at the new location, he said.
And lots of 85-cent margaritas, 99-cent mimosas and much more.
The restaurant will have one thing the Limestone location doesn’t have: Parking. Bravo said that customers have commented on the limited parking options around the original restaurant, which will be staying open too.
Bravo said he thinks they will draw from different customer bases.
“I have a very small location now, so I’m looking to grow a little bit bigger so other people can come in,” Bravo said. “I wanted to have a second location for the families to come in, who enjoy my food.”
He said they will have carryout at both locations with delivery through Doordash and Grubhub.
The National Avenue corridor is a popular Lexington dining destination, with Epping’s on Eastside across the street, Mirror Twin Brewing and Rolling Oven Pizza down the block with La Petite Delicat and Popcorn Paradise, The Void Sake coming, Blue Door Smokehouse down Walton across from Ruth Hunt Chocolates.
Bravo said the restaurant will have lots of outdoor seating, including a covered rooftop patio. El Cid will be open for lunch and dinner with a “full margarita bar,” as well as an expanded menu of made-fresh street tacos and salsas.
“We’re adding some more gourmet platters as this location. I’m still working on the menu, but it will seafood style and some steak,” Bravo said. “We’ll still have traditional platters like fajitas and quesadillas, but we’re focused on our birria.”
This story was originally published March 8, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
