Brad Johnson and Sean Morgan, both formerly of BrewRiver Gastro Pub, are planning to open a new concept in the former Annabel’s space in Mt. Lookout Square.
El Camino, a Cuban and Puerto Rican street food restaurant, should be open by late November or early December.
“We considered a number of different neighborhoods, but when we saw that Annabel’s was for sale we jumped on it,” Morgan says.
When Johnson and Morgan purchased the former restaurant at 1004 Delta Ave., they didn’t just get an empty shell. They also got Annabel’s entire inventory, making their renovation job a bit easier. They’re creating a San Juan-meets-Cincinnati look and feel on the inside.
The 1,000-square-foot space will have some sit-down dining but will mainly focus on take-out orders and late-night dining. The menu, which will be created by Johnson, who spent time in Puerto Rico, will include classic and fusion Cuban and Puerto Rican dishes. Think a Cubano sandwich, Cuban- and Mexican-style tacos, plantains and bean and rice dishes. There will also be housemade sangrias and local canned beer.
“When I approached Brad about opening a restaurant, he had already been looking for a space for some time,” Morgan says. “Together we want to create a low-key restaurant that melds simple street food from a number of different cultures.”
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