Cinco de Mayo, a new Mexican restaurant, will open its doors to St. Cloud residents at the end of January. The restaurant, located at 4143 W. Division St., will occupy the former Chinese Phoenix Express space, which closed in late November.
Though an exact opening date is still to be confirmed, Cinco de Mayo is aiming for a grand opening around the last week of January.
The Story Behind Cinco de Mayo
Porfirio Sanchez, the owner of Cinco de Mayo, is fulfilling a long-held dream of owning his own restaurant. With years of experience in the restaurant industry, Sanchez started his career at 14 as a dishwasher and worked his way through various roles, including kitchen positions and serving. Over the course of his 15-year career in Minnesota, he worked at several well-known Mexican restaurants and eventually became the general manager at El Tequila in Baxter.
Sanchez credits Pedro Villanueva, the owner of El Tequila, for encouraging him to take the leap and open his own restaurant. “He supported me a lot,” Sanchez said through his cousin, Jose Fuentes. Villanueva’s guidance played a crucial role in Sanchez’s decision to start his business.
Why St. Cloud?
Sanchez’s connection to St. Cloud grew as he frequently drove through the city while working in Baxter. He soon developed an appreciation for the area, seeing it as a great halfway point for his restaurant. With support from his family, including his cousins, brother, and wife, Sanchez decided it was time to turn his dream into reality.
What’s on the Menu at Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo will offer a diverse menu filled with traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. Highlights include burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, as well as lunch specials like flautas and chori pollo. For dinner, diners can look forward to specialty items like piña texana and molcajete Mexicano.
The upcoming restaurant promises to be a must-visit for anyone in St. Cloud craving authentic, flavorful Mexican cuisine.
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