Gulf Breeze's longtime street taco spot, Mariachi's, is adding a Navarre shop next month
Sizzling fajitas, Mexican street tacos and larger-than-life California burritos have been staples at Gulf Breeze’s Mariachi’s Mexican Grill for the past 15 years or so. As they’ve collected a loyal customer base from all over the Panhandle, one frequent request has always been for something a little closer to Navarre.
After years of searching for a spot to expand from the Gulf Breeze restaurant, Mariachi's partner Armando Lopez has secured a spot at 8207 Navarre Parkway with plans to open in late-February.
The space formerly housed longtime tenant New York Pizza District, which relocated to a larger location on 7552 Navarre Parkway #14 in 2020.
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The pizza kitchen the previous tenants left behind will be converted into a reimagined dining space, similar to the Gulf Breeze restaurant's. The existing Mariachi's Mexican Grill features orange clay-colored walls, paintings of the Mexican countryside, rustic red leather booths and ornate sombreros embellishing the walls, creating a similar atmosphere to life in Jalisco, Mexico, where the partners are originally from.
The Navarre decorations will not be identical but carry over a similar spirit.
The new location will not vary from its original when it comes to the food, according to Lopez. The new restaurant’s food will have the same authenticity as the original family recipes the Gulf Breeze menu is based around, Lopez said.
“It has to be the same recipes people will know,” Lopez said.
The Navarre location, which will be called Mariachi Mexican Grill “Express,” will carry over the same menu favorites, but with a more condensed menu to fit the smaller space.
Some of the most popular items will have a spot on the menu, such as the street tacos, which tend to be a hot seller. The steak, al pastor and carnitas are especially well-loved, according to Lopez, and carry the fresh off-the-grill flavor.
The spot will function like a “little brother” to the Gulf Breeze original. The location also will not have any hard liquor like the other location but will offer a variety of cold beer and wine.
They will make the most with what they have, like their fan favorite Michelada, a Mexican drink traditionally made with beer, lime juice, assorted sauces, spices and chili peppers. The drink takes shape as a savory bloody Mary, but with beer as the base.
Almost everything is made fresh, from the pico de gallo, to the guacamole and the chips made twice daily.
The fast-casual styled restaurant will be centered around getting a satisfying meal in customers' hands quickly, but will offer dine-in seating.
Ultimately, Lopez said he is looking forward to bringing new dining options to the Navarre area.
The restaurant will likely be open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for lunch and dinner service. More updates and information can be found on the Mariachi Mexican Grill – Gulf Breeze Facebook page.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Mariachi's Mexican Grill to open new location in Navarre this February
