WILMINGTON — A popular Mexican restaurant that has served downtown diners for three years closed Monday in the Marina District.
Ramon and Miguel Villaseñor announced the final day would be May 4, along with partners Zephyr Development Co., which owns the downtown marina and buildings also including Marina Grill. Ramon confirmed with Port City Daily he and his brother are looking to open the restaurant elsewhere toward the end of the year but haven’t decided on where.
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“We would like to stay downtown,” Ramon said, adding the Monkey Junction location of Tequila Comida + Cantina will remain open.
Tequila Comida + Cantina opened at 14 Harnett St. in 2023, six years after launching the flagship in Monkey Junction. Its menu boasts more than 50 items, from ceviches and fajitas to fish plates and molcajettes (hot stone mortars filled with proteins, starches, Mexican vegetables and sauces).
Downtown’s location had expansive river views, located only a few blocks from Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park. Ramon confirmed business was good there and continues to remain steady at the flagship on Carolina Beach Road.
“We are proud of what we built there,” Ramon said.
The Villaseñor brothers also own three Los Portales Supermarkets in town. The flagship, located on Kerr Avenue, opened in 2003, followed by North College Road’s location launch last July and Carolina Beach Road opening earlier this winter. Plus, the brothers own multiple Los Portales taquerías.
“We would eventually like to open locations in Leland and Hampstead,” Ramon said. “The demographics are good there.”
Though business was steady at Tequila’s waterfront location, he added their partnership with Zephyr concluded when the development company approached them last month about bringing a different concept to the space. It was an amicable split.
In a press release Zephyr sent Monday, the company added it was working on bringing in a business from Giorgios Hospitality Group. Restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias owns Kipos, G. Prime and the incoming Fortuna Cucina Italiana.
The new spot will be “bringing fresh energy and a new dining experience to downtown Wilmington and The Marina District,” Zephyr released in a statement.
Bakatsias could not be reached by press for comment on what he plans to bring to the area.
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