Mamacita’s plans relocation across from outlet malls

Nov 4 2009 - 12:30am | Thea Setterbo

Enchilada, carne guisada and margarita connoisseurs might find themselves traveling farther out of town to pursue a favorite establishment.

The San Marcos branch of Mamacita’s Mexican Restaurant had plans to remodel the existing building. With talk of an Aquarena Springs underpass and the threat of possible extended street closures, restaurant executives have set their sights on creating a new location.

Plans for the new restaurant include several shops, a playground, indoor waterfalls, an arcade and outdoor bar on five acres of land across Interstate 35 from the Tanger and Prime Outlets.

Not wanting to compete for business with the New Braunfels location, Luis Torres, vice president of Mamacita’s, and his team decided to close the New Braunfels location.

Torres said every 10 years, each of the five restaurants is remodeled.

“We were going to remodel anyway,” Torres said. “The building of the underpass would hurt business.”

Mamacita’s waitress Ivana Mali, wildlife ecology graduate student, said she agreed moving to the new location is a good decision.

“I like this (current) location because it’s closer to my apartment, but the business will definitely be better at the new one,” Mali said.

Mamacita’s “proudly represents the architectural style of three great cultures: Persian, Spanish and Mexican,” according to its Web site.

“Atmosphere means a lot to people,” Torres said.

Torres said he wanted customers to experience a more unique kind of restaurant.

Mamacita’s was founded in 1985 when Torres and brother Hagi opened the first restaurant in Kerrville. The San Marcos branch was opened in 1996.

Jesse Moloney, like other student Mamacita’s employees, said he enjoyed working at the restaurant for the flexible work schedules.

“Our managers understand their employees attend the university,” said Moloney, mass communication senior. “It’s nice to have college students work for us,” Torres said.

The opening of the new restaurant is scheduled for September 2010.

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