Ruben Almazan and his family moved to the land of opportunity in Northwest Arkansas after many years of working in California's hospitality and restaurant industries, and finally opened their dream restaurant. Named after the sunny, beach-resort city on Mexico's Pacific coastline, Acapulco Restaurant is a refreshing reminder to enjoy the finer things in life: family, fajitas and frozen margaritas!
Almazan enjoys being part of the community with his family, and uses his restaurant to give back and serve the people of Springdale. "We give food to the church and a lot of the local schools," he said. Acapulco is investing in its community, putting down roots, and fostering a deep sense of local connection by donating to these kinds of food drives.
The restaurant has been open for over a decade on East Robinson Avenue in Springdale, and Almazan has kept it a family business. His wife and their two sets of twins all pitch in to keep it successful. The oldest set of twins, his son and daughter of 24, work as a cook and waitress for the restaurant. "My wife comes in to help when she can," he said, "and the twins help out at the front counter on Sundays, taking to-go orders and hosting when we get busy." The Almazans enjoy working together and being involved in the family restaurant, and their joy extends to the cheerful staff that they employ.
Springdale local Josefina Ramirez lives just five minutes from Acapulco, where she has worked for the past ten years as a server and bartender. Her favorite dish is the Grilled Chicken Breast: smothered with mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and Jack cheese. She also said that you won't be disappointed, no matter what you order, and she highly recommends the Tortilla Soup. It is plain to see that Ramirez and the other servers enjoy working there. The friendly service at Acapulco, coupled with the authentic Mexican food their customers have come to expect, ensures that they keep the community coming back week after week.
They have a delicious selection of tried-and-true classics and unique signature dishes, and Almazan's favorite creation is the Fajitas Mexicanas. A step-up from the original Mexican staple, it's made with tender strips of steak, chicken, shrimp, and chorizo; mixed with grilled peppers, onions, and salsa ranchera; and served with lettuce, sour cream, guac, pico, tortillas, beans and rice.
Staying true to its city-by-the-sea namesake, Acapulco offers a wide variety of seafood and fish specialties; from blackened shrimp and a Red Snapper filet to catfish tacos and even scallops. "I still really enjoy cooking," said Almazan. It's actually his favorite thing about owning his own restaurant. He has a passion for working in the kitchen, and it shows in the quality of his food. In addition to putting time in behind the scenes as a cook, the active owner also oversees catering ventures as part of his duties. For more information about Acapulco Restaurant, and to learn about catering and menu options, visit their Facebook page at: facebook.com/AcaRest
Every Tuesday is Taco Tuesday at Acapulco, where any taco is $1.50 and small margaritas are only $1.99. Lunch specials run until 3pm daily. On Mondays, you can save $2.99 per kid's meal with kids 12 and under. Stop by after work and grab a drink at the bar, or bring the whole family to relax and enjoy their top-quality fajitas and margaritas.
Acapulco Restaurant
Location:
1602 E. Robinson Ave., Springdale, AR. 72762
Phone:
(479)927-1012
Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 11am - 9pm
Friday-Saturday: 11am - 10pm
Website:
Facebook.com/AcaRest
NAN Dining Guide Spotlight on 12/30/2018