Primer aniversario

Family owned and operated Mexican grill and bar celebrates one year

El Matador Mexican Grill & Bar celebrated its one-year anniversary over Labor Day weekend.

Located on Steamboat Drive, just west of Interstate 49 off Wedington Drive in Fayetteville, the restaurant is tucked between the Homewood Suites by Hilton and Comfort Inn & Suites. Although it is set back off the main road, the Mexican eatery has built a loyal patronage this past year.

El Matador Mexican Grill & Bar

facebook.com/ElMata…

1290 N. Steamboat Dr., Fayetteville

(beside Comfort Inn & Suites and Homewood Suites by Hilton)

(479) 856-6950

Open 7 days a week. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun-Thur, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Fri-Sat. Authentic Mexican cuisine made fresh and from scratch daily. Lunch specials 11 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Weekly drink specials. Located one block northwest of Wedington Drive exit off Interstate 49.

"Once they find us they say, 'We are going to come back. We like your food and your service is the best,' " manager Edgar Montes said.

The family that owns and operates El Matador utilizes their experience from their other establishments, including La Huerta, Mexico Viejo and Mojito's Mexican Grill. Several staff members transferred to El Matador, which created a smooth opening and proved to be crucial to the new location's success.

Customers have highly regarded the bar and renovations to the interior of the building. The furnishings are tables and chairs made in Mexico and painted with vibrant colors and illustrations. Several flat-screen televisions broadcasting sports channels are featured throughout the restaurant.

A stone bar anchors the center of the restaurant and is surrounded by cocktail seating. There is also a private party room that can seat up to 15 guests, and a private patio that provides outdoor seating.

Live music is hosted on the patio 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays for guests to enjoy with dinner or drinks.

El Matador serves familiar Mexican cuisine, much of which is found at its sister restaurants. The focus of the kitchen is to use fresh ingredients to prepare made-from-scratch dishes.

"In all of the restaurants we have, everything is made fresh," Montes said.

Using similar recipes along with a seasoned, stable staff helps the restaurant produce consistent food and service. It also creates an environment for quick, reliable service.

In addition to common Mexican dishes, the menu also offers numerous house specialties.

Dennis Especial is a large flour tortilla stuffed with beef or chicken, onions, rice, beans, cilantro, white queso and tomatillo salsa.

Chilaquiles Mexicanos has corn tortillas filled with chicken and ranchero sauce, then topped with queso.

The Cazuelada is a family meal that includes grilled shrimp, carne asada, chicken and chorizo served with sides of pinto beans, rice, guacamole salad and tortillas.

Taquitos Mexicanos are four corn tortillas wrapped around chicken or beef, deep fried to a golden brown.

Pollo Borrego is a grilled chicken breast topped with mushrooms and a spicy cream sauce.

NAN Dining Guide Cover on 09/05/2014

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