Chela’s Latin Cuisine is having its official grand opening at 256 E. Congress St. from 4 – 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 18.

The new concept has been in the works for a few months and the Mieja family is excited to welcome everyone in. Luis Mejia Sr., Isela Mejia, Luis Mejia Jr., and Leonardo Mejia also operate El Sur Restaurant on 22nd Street and the Ocean View Hotel and Restaurant, which opened about a year ago in Roatan, Honduras.

The hours of operation are 4 – 10 p.m. on Tuesday – Thursday, 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Sunday, and closed on Monday.

“The menu will have similar recipes to El Sur, but the plating will be more upscale,” said Mejia Jr. “We are also bringing recipes, that are Latin Caribbean inspired, from our hotel and restaurant in Roatan.”

The dinner menu includes the likes of Mole Poblano, carnitas, molcajete, flautas, Camarones Culichi, Ceviche Tostada, Mexican Street Corn on a Stick, and Tacos de Calabaza — (vegan) three roasted butternut squash tacos.

Chela’s Latin Cuisine will mainly focus on providing a dinner service but during the weekends, expect a brunch menu, too.

Brunch will feature $6 mimosas and $8 micheladas with dishes like Huevos Poblanos, La Ranchera, Chilaquiles, Breakfast Topopo, Carnitas and Eggs Skillet, and the classic Breakfast Burrito.

The full menu is now online.

Then, in the later hours of the evening, bring your dancin’ shoes because the restaurant will transform into a nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights.

The spot used to house Elvira’s Restaurant before it closed during the 2020 pandemic (the beloved restaurant’s original location is still open in Tubac so pay a visit soon). With the absence of tasty food in that space, there’s a lot to look forward to with Chela’s arrival on the corner of Congress Street and Arizona Avenue.

Chela’s Latin Cuisine is located at 256 E. Congress St. For more information and to keep up with the latest, visit chelaslatincuisine.com and follow Chela’s on Instagram.

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