By
Liliana Gonzalez
Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn.
-- Los Cantaritos Mexican Grill in nearby Davidson County has reopened for business after a
renovation that added more seating and an expanded menu.
The restaurant, which
is located at 5207 Nolensville Pike between Haywood Lane and Bell Road, first opened on May 6, 2016.
The owner, Miguel Lopez, said he had no idea he would have to temporarily close
the eatery two years later. The restaurant was too small to meet customer
demand. On some Sunday nights, customers sometimes waited 15 to 20 minutes
before getting a table.
Lopez was born
and raised in Linares Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He moved to the United States when he
was 10 years old. When asked how he got into the food business, he said he
became a bus boy at 15 years old in another Mexican restaurant in Tennessee.
He preferred the
environment of a restaurant over other jobs. He loved how fast-paced it was. Since
then, he has worked every position, from a kitchen helper and chef to cashier. He
said he enjoyed interacting with people as his career grew in the restaurant
business.
Lopez greets all
of his customers when they arrive, making sure everything runs smoothly.
“The most
important thing is that every single customer has a smile on their face,” said
Lopez. “Every detail of the experience of the customer is extremely important.”
During the two
weeks the restaurant was closed, he received many calls from customers.
“I eventually
had to turn the phone off because the calls kept coming in,” he added. “I made
signs and put them on the door. I made an announcement on the Spanish radio
station 96.7 letting my customers know why we were closed, and when we were
opening again.”
Lopez said he
did not think the response would be that great. He hired a band to play all
weekend long after the restaurant reopened because that’s what the people love.
“It is more than
the food, it is the experience, too,” he added.
The reopening celebration
drew a big crowd. In addition to live music, diners enjoyed a day-long happy
hour featuring two-for-$5 margaritas.
Miguel also
celebrated by giving the first 20 customers a 50 percent discount on their
meals.
When customers attend the restaurant, they get
to experience what it is like to attend a Mexican dinner party. The live
Mexican music, the dancing by some customers, and most importantly the
authentic Mexican food are all big draws.
On the menu,
customers can find every popular Mexican dish. Miguel said the most popular entree
is Fajitas. The dish provides a taste of everything, including rice and beans
on the side. The most popular choice includes a mix of steak, chicken, shrimp
and chorizo. Fajitas also come with
lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo, guacamole and fresh, handmade tortillas on
the side.
“The sky is the
limit and do not listen to what anyone else has to say,” said Lopez, when asked
about the dream of owning his own business. “Just follow your dreams, because
life is way too short to be living with what-if’s. You have to have a passion
for whatever you choose to do. It is not easy. Everything that you have will be
demanded of you. Give it your all, and you will achieve success someday. I know
that for me this is only the beginning.”
For more
information about Los Cantaritos Mexican Grill, visit https://m.facebook.com/Los-Cantaritos-Mexican-Grill-1022647611146252/?ref=page_internal&mt_nav=1.
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