Las Canadas, a new Mexican restaurant, is slated to open this week at 907-909 N. Truman Blvd. in Crystal City, owner Salvador Ramirez said.
Ramirez, 52, of Collinsville, Ill., said that once people try out his restaurant, they will be regular customers.
“I want to let the people in Crystal City know that when they try this the first time, our food, they won’t want to go anywhere else, because, we want them to feel like they’re in their own home,” he said.
Ramirez said people also will enjoy the authentic Mexican food.
“We have more than 100 dishes,” he said. “Our food is the best because it’s authentic, fresh – no Tex-Mex. We have chiles rellenos – a pepper stuffed with cheese. This is one of the best dishes. We have the fajitas. We have the grilled chicken and the grilled steak. We also do seafood.”
Ramirez said familiar Mexican dishes will be listed under the “Las Canadas” heading on the menu.
“We have the best homemade tamales,” he said. “We have fresh burritos, tacos and enchiladas.”
Ramirez said the menu also will include traditional Mexican desserts, like flan, which is like custard.
“We’ll have a chimicheesecake. This is a flour tortilla with cheese inside and deep fried, covered with cinnamon and sugar and garnished with whipped cream, chocolate syrup and cherries,” he said.
Las Canadas will offer a full bar, featuring made-to-order margaritas, Ramirez said.
“We make it in front of the customers using any liquor they like.”
Ramirez said he has worked in the restaurant business, but has not owned one before.
“I’ve been a (restaurant) manager,” he said.
He said the business will employ 10 or 11 people, including some family members.
“We are still hiring right now,” he said.
The restaurant will be decorated with paintings, including one depicting the meaning of Las Canadas, Ramirez said.
“It’s three things – the trees, the hills and the river, with a house on the side where the family cooks the best, authentic Mexican food,” he said.
Las Canadas will be open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays.
