A new Mexican restaurant will open in a space on Jeffco Boulevard in Arnold where a different one used to operate.
Alia Delapaz, 36, said she and her husband, Adrian Delapaz, 41, expect to open Pink Margaritas later this month in the building that formerly housed Paisano Mexican Restaurant, 1424 Jeffco Blvd.
“We are still doing a little remodeling, but we are just about ready,” Alia said on Nov. 26.
She said the restaurant will be known for its signature drink, which is also the establishment’s name.
“We will be known for our glittery, sparkly pink margaritas,” she said. “It is pink, and we will have a great tequila.”
The restaurant will have a modern menu with entrees most other Mexican restaurants do not serve, Alia said.
She said the menu will include Doritos Locos – Dorito chips covered in steak, nacho cheese and guacamole; a variety taco basket; and seafood options with several octopus platters.
“Adrian’s uncle has restaurants in Mexico, and he serves a lot of seafood,” Alia said. “He brought some of his entrees from his restaurant over there over here.
“We are going for a more modern menu. We do have a couple of really cool entrees that other Mexican restaurants do not have.”
Pink Margaritas’ menu also will feature traditional Mexican street corn and a dip named after the couple’s 10-year-old daughter, Ava Delapaz.
“Her dad always made it special for her,” Alia said. “It is ground beef and queso. You can add whatever you want to add to it, but she loves the queso with ground beef. It is kid approved.”
Alia said she and her husband have worked in the restaurant business for a while, and Adrian has owned restaurants in the past. She also said her husband knew the owner of Paisano, and when the location became available, they believed it was a good place to own their own Mexican restaurant.
“We love the corner, and we are in the process of moving to Arnold,” said Alia, whose family lives in Ballwin. “I really like (Arnold). I can find everything. You turn a corner, the post office, clothes, whatever I need is right there, and the people are so nice here. It just worked out for us.”
Alia said Pink Margaritas will likely be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
She said the restaurant will employ at least six people, and as of Nov. 26, she and her husband were still looking for two servers. They also were working to get the restaurant’s website, Facebook page and phone number established.
Adrian said those interested in working at Pink Margaritas may stop by the restaurant since he typically is there overseeing the remodeling work.
“We are so excited,” Alia said. “It has been a little stressful, but we are thrilled. We feel like everyone we meet is really excited to come in and give us a try. We love Arnold already. We are so excited to open up. I’m also so excited that (Adrian) agreed to call it Pink Margaritas. That name is all me.”
Alia said she and her husband will work hard to make the restaurant successful.
“Everyone who knows Adrian knows he can do it all,” she said. “He will throw on an apron and wait on tables. He will do dishes. He is the hardest working man I know. We are here, and we are going to make it work.”