By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
Grayson diners received another option for Mexican fare last Wednesday, with the ribbon cutting and grand opening of El Mixteco. The establishment has breathed new life into the building that once housed Shoney’s, bringing with it vibrant colors and an entirely new look. Owner Olibero “Gabby” Delosantos said that he and his family are glad to be in Grayson and are looking forward to serving the community. Delosantos said patrons can expect both traditional Mexican food as well as ‘mix and match’ combinations for their dining experience.
“We have a lot of new, authentic dishes,” he said. “We try to make the dishes as authentic to the area we come from as possible. There is a lot of good food there, and we try to bring some of it this way.”
People can also expect to enjoy a lot of soups and breads as well, all of which they make fresh, he said. And of course, he encourages customers to let him know which ones are their favorites.
Currently Delosantos said that it will be walk in dining on Monday through Thursday, but in the future customers will be able to make reservations. The best way to follow that, and get the menu items, would be to check out their Facebook page, he said.
Delosantos started his own restaurant first in Flemingsburg, where he enjoyed the support of many local customers. But a friend of his told him about the Shoney’s building in Grayson, and Delosantos decided to come and check it out as a possible second location.
“I came here one day when everything was closed,” he said.
There was no contact information that he could see, but not to be deterred, Delosantos wrote a letter and taped it to the door of the closed business.
“I thought if it’s for me, then it’s going to be,” he said of taking that chance.
Months passed without hearing a response until finally, after waiting seven months he got a call. “They called and asked if I was still interested in renting the building,” Delosantos said.
“I was lucky, and so happy to get this location,” he continued.
And after putting in all of the work of refurbishing the building, he said he hopes to do well there.
“I just hope everyone gives me a chance,” he said. “We have good food, good prices, and good-sized portions. We are going to do the best we can to give our customers good fresh food, and make everyone happy. We want to stay forever and make a lot of friends, meet families, and make a lot of good memories.”
Currently El Mixteco is open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. seven days a week. There is a happy hour from 2 until 6 p.m., with half priced beer and certain appetizers, including wings. The restaurant also serves wine, bourbon, whiskey, tequila, and other spirits. But the restaurant also maintains a friendly, family atmosphere.
“We want and pray to work hard and become part of the community,” Delosantos said, adding that their goal is to treat everyone like family and become part of their customer’s families as well.
Family supports one another, and the same is true of friends who become part of the extended family. Several people from Delosantos’ other location came to the grand opening of the Grayson location and had a lot of good things to say about him and his family. Sonya Hall and Joey Hall came from Mount Sterling, Kentucky to support their ‘family’ in the new endeavor. The pair know Delosantos from ‘way back’ when he worked in someone else’s restaurant.
“He was our waiter,” Sonya Hall said. “And they (Delosantos and his family) became our family. He’s just a good guy. And this was his dream. When he opened the one in Flemingsburg we followed him.”
Hall was actually instrumental in helping him find out who owned the building there in Flemingsburg, but she was quick to say that everything else was all him.
“They worked hard and put in twelve-to-fifteen-hour days,” Joey Hall said. “And after that one got established, he found another building,” he laughed. “So, he put the same amount of work into that one.”
“And the food is delicious,” Joey added. “You might not know about it if you don’t live near there, but you need to know about it. And I don’t know what he does, because we have eaten Mexican food from Alaska to Florida. And this is the best we’ve eaten.”
The pair also said they have always been impressed with how clean Delosantos’ restaurant is, and always bright and cheerful.
Another of Delosantos’ customers, Sam King, was also on hand for the Grand Opening.
“I’ve been eating at his restaurant ever since he opened in Flemingsburg,” King said. “Ain’t no better people. Him and his family are the best, and you won’t find any better. I’ve known people to drive thirty miles just to eat his food and spend time with him and his family. That shows how wonderful everyone thinks they are.”
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
