A co-owner of a booming local Mexican chain has plans to open a handful of new concepts across Richmond.
David Gil, a co-owner of two local Plaza Azteca restaurants, is opening Mariachi’s Mexican Grill in Pocono Crossing on Midlothian Turnpike next month. Plaza Azteca has built a loyal following in Richmond, evidenced by the lines that form on weekend evenings.
In March, Gil leased a 5,000-square-foot space that used to house Lone Star Steakhouse in the Pocono Crossings shopping center.
“I’ve been working on the idea for many years. I’ve just been waiting for the opportunity,” Gil said.
He said the new restaurant offers gourmet-style authentic Mexican food and also will feature dishes from different parts of the world.
“It’s a step above Plaza Azteca,” he said. “What I’m going for is the complete Mexican experience.”
The Colombia-native has lived in Virginia Beach since 1985, and moved to Richmond about a year and a half ago.
He began looking in Virginia Beach two years ago when he first wanted to open his own restaurant but decided Richmond was better suited for his idea.
“There’s not a lot of room for growth in Virginia Beach,” he said. “Richmond has steadily grown, and for a new venture I wanted to pick a place that was nice and stable.”
Besides the food, Gil said his other main focus will be on entertainment.
He plans to have mariachi bands and live music every night.
“There are a lot of Mexican restaurants nearby. I want to stand out,” he said.
He’ll be competing with Don Pepe, Mexico Restaurant and Casa Grande, which are all within a few miles of each other.
Gil plans to have a soft opening next week and a grand opening in mid-July.
Gil is also planning to open a Mariachi’s Mexican Grill in the former Uno Chicago Grill spot on Hull Street Road in August.
“I’m focusing on the [Midlothian] location now, but once I get this up and running I plan to open the other one,” he said.
The Chicago-based chain filed for bankruptcy last year and recently closed its Richmond location. Gil said he took over the space June 1.
Gil said he invested about $300,000 into the Mariachi’s on Midlothian Turnpike and about $150,000 into the second location. He said after seeing the success of the Plaza Aztecas, the decision to open multiple locations was an easy one.
“It’s a good concept. They’ve been doing really well,” he said. “The market was ready for something like this.”
He plans to hire 100 employees between the two locations. He’s also planning to have a third Mariachi’s in Glen Allen by next year.
New Mexican restaurants aren’t the only thing Gil has planned for Richmond.
He’s also working to open a Moroccan-themed restaurant called Riad, which is going to be in the Gold’s Gym Plaza on West Broad Street in the former Pasta Luna space.
“My wife is originally from Morocco, and she’s been pushing the Moroccan restaurant for a while,” Gil said.
“Riad,” meaning “traditional Moroccan home,” is expected to be up and running by September.
A co-owner of a booming local Mexican chain has plans to open a handful of new concepts across Richmond.
David Gil, a co-owner of two local Plaza Azteca restaurants, is opening Mariachi’s Mexican Grill in Pocono Crossing on Midlothian Turnpike next month. Plaza Azteca has built a loyal following in Richmond, evidenced by the lines that form on weekend evenings.
In March, Gil leased a 5,000-square-foot space that used to house Lone Star Steakhouse in the Pocono Crossings shopping center.
“I’ve been working on the idea for many years. I’ve just been waiting for the opportunity,” Gil said.
He said the new restaurant offers gourmet-style authentic Mexican food and also will feature dishes from different parts of the world.
“It’s a step above Plaza Azteca,” he said. “What I’m going for is the complete Mexican experience.”
The Colombia-native has lived in Virginia Beach since 1985, and moved to Richmond about a year and a half ago.
He began looking in Virginia Beach two years ago when he first wanted to open his own restaurant but decided Richmond was better suited for his idea.
“There’s not a lot of room for growth in Virginia Beach,” he said. “Richmond has steadily grown, and for a new venture I wanted to pick a place that was nice and stable.”
Besides the food, Gil said his other main focus will be on entertainment.
He plans to have mariachi bands and live music every night.
“There are a lot of Mexican restaurants nearby. I want to stand out,” he said.
He’ll be competing with Don Pepe, Mexico Restaurant and Casa Grande, which are all within a few miles of each other.
Gil plans to have a soft opening next week and a grand opening in mid-July.
Gil is also planning to open a Mariachi’s Mexican Grill in the former Uno Chicago Grill spot on Hull Street Road in August.
“I’m focusing on the [Midlothian] location now, but once I get this up and running I plan to open the other one,” he said.
The Chicago-based chain filed for bankruptcy last year and recently closed its Richmond location. Gil said he took over the space June 1.
Gil said he invested about $300,000 into the Mariachi’s on Midlothian Turnpike and about $150,000 into the second location. He said after seeing the success of the Plaza Aztecas, the decision to open multiple locations was an easy one.
“It’s a good concept. They’ve been doing really well,” he said. “The market was ready for something like this.”
He plans to hire 100 employees between the two locations. He’s also planning to have a third Mariachi’s in Glen Allen by next year.
New Mexican restaurants aren’t the only thing Gil has planned for Richmond.
He’s also working to open a Moroccan-themed restaurant called Riad, which is going to be in the Gold’s Gym Plaza on West Broad Street in the former Pasta Luna space.
“My wife is originally from Morocco, and she’s been pushing the Moroccan restaurant for a while,” Gil said.
“Riad,” meaning “traditional Moroccan home,” is expected to be up and running by September.
If he’s bringing real Mexican food – vs. the border street food that most norteños think is real Mexican food – to RVA, I’m first in line! Every state in Mexico has its own culinary traditions, and its own mole. Heck, Oaxaca has SEVEN moles, which makes it my choice for culinary capital of our southern neighbor. Seems like Mr. Gil is a guy with great ideas, and the business savvy to bring them to life. Anything that makes Richmond a wall-to-wall foodie heaven is a good thing!
Wow. That’s a lot of businesses to work on at one time. I’ve always heard that restaurants are particularly hard to run. I hope he makes it work.
My family loves Plaza Azteca…same for all of our friends! We especially love the white dip. Open one in Mechanicville…tired of driving to west end. Hurry, we need you out there!
the first thing I order at a “Mexican” restaurant is a margarita. Well, even though the giant sign said “open” they didn’t have their liquor license yet. So, I settled for a glass of water. The waiter was dumber than a bag of rocks. He had to go ask the kitchen if the dinner enchiladas came with rice and beans, he came back and said “no”, so I ordered a chili releno to go with my a’ la carte’ dinner. Well, the dinner came with rice and beans ( sigh ). When they delivered dinner, the 6 waiters couldn’t get… Read more »
I agree with Roger. We went to the restaurant and were seated to the glass clanging experience of 8 glasses being removed from the table. The guy who makes the guacamole came to the table and we couldn’t understand a word he said and as he banged around the waitress came and we asked for a wine list. She looked completely confused which was surprising considering the number of wine glasses she had to remove from the table to seat us. There was a surprising 6 people on this Friday night which should have told us something. Looking at the… Read more »