Who's up for tacos and margaritas? New El Rodeo Mexican restaurant opens in Panama City Beach
PANAMA CITY — A new restaurant kicked off the new year by welcoming the community with its grand opening in Panama City Beach on Friday.
El Rodeo Tequila Bar and Grill, located at 1136 Thomas Drive, held its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, inviting the community to celebrate over lunch and tequila.
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The grand opening festivities lasted until 10 p.m. with two-for-one drink specials all day and music by DJ Oscar. Later in the day, Mariachi Moderno Internacional performed live from 4 to 8 p.m., followed by local artist Tony Vegas from 8 to 10 p.m.
Business partners Angel Baez, Jose Cortez and David Martinez said they’re excited to finally operate and run this restaurant. After receiving an unexpected call from the owner of Dreamers, the previous restaurant at this location, with an offer to sell the building, they saw it as an opportunity to move forward with opening their new place.
The two-month journey led them to open the first location of El Rodeo Tequila Bar and Grill. Baez described it as a dream come true for them.
“It all felt like it was a perfect storm with the way things came together,” Baez said. “Everyone loves Mexican food and we want to have people come and have fun with food and spirits.”
The new restaurant features spacious indoor and outdoor seating, live music, flat-screen TVs and a bar. Some of the house's favorite menu items consist of Pollo Asado, Camarones Mexicanos, Burrito Loco and the Mexican Mule Cocktail, which includes Espolon Blanco tequila, simple syrup, lime juice, tonic water and fresh mint.
Baez said there’s a plan to open more locations of El Rodeo outside of the beach area to expand its outreach to the community. In addition, they want to eventually have a location of El Rodeo restaurant on 30A. The owners have intentions to master the model of this location as a base for the El Rodeo restaurants and continue building a connection with the community.
“We always wanted to have a place for people to get together and have a good time,” Baez said. “Our goal is to have people come in to enjoy good foods and have a good time like we do when we visit Mexican restaurants.”
El Rodeo Tequila Bar and Grill is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach Florida welcomes new El Rodeo Mexican restaurant
