Long-rumored plans of Eric Williams expanding his mod-mex empire to points west finally have come to fruition. By July, the chef-owner of Momocho and Happy Dog will open El Carnicero in the old McCarthy's Ale House in the West End neighborhood of Lakewood.
El Carnicero will be a full-service fast-casual restaurant and bar serving unique interpretations of Mexican street food. Billed as a carniceria, taqueria, and tamaleria, the resto will serve up traditional taquitos, tamales and antojitos — or other Mexican street foods. Of course, there will be plenty of margaritas, cervezas and specialty tequila-based cocktails.
"I wanted to capitalize on what we do at Momocho without hurting it or watering it down," Williams explains. "I want to showcase the Mexican cuisine that I'm known for and love but serve different foods that we don’t serve at Momocho."
The menu will feature 16 options of braised, roasted and grilled meats, poultry, seafood and vegetables. On Sundays, diners can enjoy authentic dishes like birria, which is a hearty stew of lamb, beef and pork red chile served with corn tortillas, cilantro, onions and limes.
The 3,500-square-foot space will have 35 bar seats, 80 dining room seats, and a private dining room. The restaurant will open for dinner first, followed by lunch service.
Also coming soon, says Williams, is Super Chango Tequilaria, a lounge located next door that will specialize in tequila cocktails, margaritas and beer. The bar will offer the full menu from El Carnicero during normal business hours.
