Lubbock-based Abuelo’s, known for its classical Mexican style and top-quality cuisine, has opened its first restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas. The restaurant, located at Hulen Mall at 4740 S. Hulen St., which opened on Monday, March 5, is the company’s 41st site nationwide and the sixth location in the DFW area. Other area Abuelo’s are located in Hurst, Lewisville, East Plano, West Plano and Arlington.
The design of the 6,600–foot Abuelo’s restaurant, which seats approximately 225 guests and employs a staff of 100, is based on classical Mexican architecture and artistic influences. The restaurant’s interior features hand-painted murals depicting Mexico’s rich and colorful history, as well as imported stonework and statues that are hand-carved by artists in the villages around Guadalajara, Mexico.
“We designed Abuelo’s to have a gracious, yet friendly environment that’s compatible with our authentic, creative dishes,” said Joe Vaughan, general manager of Abuelo’s new Fort Worth restaurant. “We are very pleased to bring our unique Mexican concept to Fort Worth and we look forward to being an active part of the community.”
Abuelo’s pre-opening training services, which were held the weekend prior to the March 5 opening, raised $5,300 in donations to benefit the Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth, a nonprofit organization that provides services to assist legally and totally blind individuals to achieve their highest level of personal and economic self-sufficiency consistent with their specific skills, general abilities and interests. All Abuelo’s restaurants strive to be good corporate citizens in each community in which they operate by sustaining great relationships with many worthwhile causes on both a national and local level.
Abuelo’s, which has consistently been on the leading edge of Mexican cuisine, is famous for its creative, made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine, superior service and affordable prices. Abuelo’s menu selections combine authentic standards with the rich, subtle flavors of coastal and interior Mexican cuisine. Abuelo’s House Specialties, which combine beef tenderloin, jumbo shrimp, Barramundi, salmon and other top-quality ingredients with unique, homemade sauces and side dishes, have earned a reputation for “raising the bar” of Mexican food restaurants. The menu also features an impressive selection of wood-grilled fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, chile rellenos, quesadillas, chimichangas and tamales. Desserts include Abuelo’s award-winning traditional Mexican flan and margarita pie with tequila cream sauce, among others.
In addition, Abuelo’s Hulen Mall location features two new menu components including new Carne Rustica menu items that are slow cooked for hours over an open fire, to create savory chicken or beef entrées that are tender, juicy and roasted to perfection. This new restaurant also features fresh, handmade flour and corn tortillas that are prepared at an open tortilla kitchen in the restaurant’s dining area.
Abuelo’s also features a number of signature drinks including the La Grandeza Margarita, an award-winning Margarita recipe made with Gran Gala and served on the rocks or frozen; the Platinum Margarita, a smooth, premium handmade Margarita; the 1800 Hand-Shaken Margarita, a custom built and hand-shaken margarita featuring 1800 Reposado Tequila and served in a private shaker; plus many others. Abuelo’s signature Sangria Swirl, a favorite among guests, features frozen Sangria swirled with frozen Margarita..
“Our theme is ‘beyond Tex-Mex,’” added Robert Lin, president of Food Concepts International, Abuelo’s parent company. “At Abuelo’s, our goal is to offer our guests an opportunity to experience the diverse and distinct flavors of Mexico in a beautiful setting with superior service at a great value. In interior and coastal Mexico, the cuisine is really Continental with Spanish, French and Italian influences. We want our guests to be able to experience that aspect of Mexican cuisine in addition to more traditional fare, all available at very affordable prices.”
Meals at Abuelo’s are reasonably priced, with an average dinner cost of $8.99 to $19.99 and lunch costs of $6.99 to $11.29. All major credit cards are accepted. Restaurant hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, call (817) 386-5600.
Since its first opening in 1989, Abuelo’s has consistently been on the leading edge of Mexican cuisine, combining menu creativity, outstanding food and beverage quality, colorful plate presentations and superior service in an impressive Mexican courtyard-themed atmosphere. Owned and operated by Food Concepts International of Lubbock, Texas, Abuelo’s has received national accolades as the top-ranked Mexican food restaurant, one of America’s top chains, and for offering great meals for less than $20. The company currently has 41 restaurants located in 15 states throughout the United States. For more information, visit http://www.abuelos.com.
