Popular downtown Lexington Mexican restaurant closed. What’s opening in its place?
A popular Mexican restaurant in downtown Lexington has closed. But another is set to take its place.
El Cid, which opened in February 2020, closed at the end of December. A second location at 701 National Ave. and the related Senor Chimi in Triangle Park apparently remain open. Owner Chris Bravo did not immediately respond to a request for comment about El Cid closing. The restaurant was known for street tacos, birria and cheap margaritas.
And now a new Mexican concept, La Chula, is opening at 304 S. Limestone.
Co-owner Claire Howell said that the restaurant hopes to open on Jan. 16 with “a very modern take on how we do Mexican food,” she said.
The menu for the Mexican restaurant will feature familiar favorites, she said, but the look and feel of the restaurant will have a modern twist.
“It will be the same authentic delicious food such as burritos, tamales and quesadillas, she said.
But there will be some updates, such as guacamole served with plantain chips, she said. And chilaquiles, often a breakfast dish, also will be on the menu.
The restaurant has a transitional liquor license and hopes to have the permanent license approved soon.
While this is the first restaurant that she and her husband, Juan Pablo Morgado, have owned, Morgado previously was involved with opening Papi’s Rapido on South Broadway, Howell said.
La Chula
Where: 304 S. Limestone
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
