Mexican restaurant El Chinito Gordo announced plans to open at 2920 N. Oracle Rd. the first week of December.
The 3,936-square-foot-building previously held Club 21 Mexican Food, which closed after 73 years in business. With an additional 715 square feet of patio space, the restaurant will seat 127.
“ECG’s interior pays homage to traditional Mexican style and blends it with a modern interpretation of Mexican aesthetic,” said Felicia Chavez, co-owner and social media manager of El Chinito Gordo.
Chavez, who is also a commercial interior designer, owns the restaurant along with architect Mark Bonillas and The Bamboo Terrace co-owners Lenny Mark and Blanca Mark.
“[The name] ‘El Chinito Gordo’ was a playful way of symbolically tying together all of the owners and their different cultures/ethnicities into our restaurant concept,” Chavez said. “(Lenny is Chinese, and his wife Blanca is Mexican; Mark is Mexican, and his partner Felicia is Mexican and Chinese.”
While the name and ownership is a blend of Mexican and Chinese cultures, the food focuses on Mexican.
“Our menu is inspired by Central Mexican recipes that were passed down through generations,” Chavez said. “Some recipes have been refined in a way that both preserves tradition and elevates Tucson’s Mexican food scene. Some of our feature dishes will include Chile Relleno en Nogada, Tacos al Pastor, and a Chorizo Burger that’s off the hook.”
To apply for work at the restaurant, email bmark@ecgtuc.com.
Operating hours will be noon – 9 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Thursday, and 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Friday – Saturday.
Keep up with El Chinito Gordo on Facebook.
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
