Calexico restaurant to open next week downtown

By Serena Maria Daniels

Aug 4, 2016 at 2:14 pm

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Photo by Serena Maria Daniels

Workers getting ready Thursday for the Aug. 11 opening of the new eatery.

The time is nearing for downtown to welcome the Mexican-inspired restaurant Calexico to the neighborhood. Starting Aug. 11, the eatery will open its doors in the One Campus Martius building (a former Olga's Kitchen location), Crain's Detroit reports.

The 4,000-square-foot spot will serve Baja-style fish tacos (we'll have to judge for ourselves how they stack up, since Detroit is rather lacking in the fish taco department), guac, burritos, elotes, and cocktails - all with late-night service, adding to the area's after hours dining options (until 2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday).

Many of you have asked us what's with the name Calexico. For those of you unfamiliar, it's a small Cali-Mexican border town, which like other border towns upholds a strong tradition in Mexican street food. Co-founders of the NYC-based chain are the Vendley brothers (David, Jesse, and Brian) - all natives of Calexico.

The Detroit venture is the group's first foray outside of New York. Partnering with them locally is Randy Dickow, who co-owns Lunchtime Global, Freshii, and a Sweet Lorraine's Fabulous Mac n' Cheez location.