Tex-Mex News

Tableside trompo al pastor is the treat at this new Lewisville Tex-Mex

Look how cute this little mini-rotisserie is.

El Patio

If there are two cuisines Dallas-Fort Worth can never get enough of, it would be BBQ and Tex-Mex, and now there's a restaurant combining both. Called El Patio Mex-Tex Grill & Bar, it's a new concept opening in Lewisville that combines the flavors of the Mexican highlands with traditional Texas barbecue. Slam-dunk.

Located at The Realm at Castle Hills, at SH 121 and Windhaven Parkway, El Patio is from chef Salvador Hernandez, a native of Guadalajara whose major influences include the street cafés and food carts of Mexican highland cities, plus the Texas barbecue of his adopted state.

According to a release, El Patio opens September 15. In a statement, Hernandez says he's a champion both of authentic Mexican recipes and barbecue.

"The similarities of the bold flavors in both Texas and Mexican cuisine led me to create a menu with a blend of both strong styles — that is how the Mex-Tex idea was born," he says.

Meats will be prepared on open-fire grills or rotisseries, and use only pecan and hickory woods in the restaurant's custom smoker. He's also dedicated to cooking with fresh and locally sourced ingredients.

The menu is divided into three categories: Mex, Tex, and Mex-Tex.

The Mex portion features dishes such as trompo al pastor, prepared street-style: live-fired and presented tabletop as an adorable mini-rotisserie with housemade tortillas, grilled pineapple, and a duo of salsas.

Hernandez' take on Mexican street nachos are called volcanes and feature corn tortillas topped with Mexican cheese, guacamole, crema, and choice of carne asada, al pastor pork, roasted chicken, or brisket smoked in-house.

The Tex portion features a brisket sandwich with barbecue rub, ancho chile caciotta cheese, and a rustic bread, with barbecue sauce. Texas wedge salad is topped with pecans, mozzarella, oranges, Shiner Bock onion rings, and a ruby red vinaigrette.

The Mex-Tex options include guacamole with rib-eye chicharrons, and pork belly carnitas with tortillas, habanero-pickled red onion slaw, Mexican rice, and salsas.

Cocktails include: mango-chamoy margarita, grilled pineapple mojito, chocolate abuelita martini, and "paleta shots," which the release describs as a grown-up version of the traditional Mexican popsicle.

Hernandez is also executive chef at The Lakes at Castle Hills, a private golf course and country club, and he'll continue to lead that team. Both The Lakes at Castle Hills and The Realm at Castle Hills are Bright Realty developments.

El Patio will open with social distancing and extra cleaning precautions including an air filtration system that recycles the air 12 times per hour and has a complete air change every five minutes when the bar windows are closed.

Hours will be Monday-Friday, 11 am-9 pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 10 am–9 pm.

The Realm at Castle Hills, a 324-acre mixed-use development consisting of office, retail, and multi-family, and restaurants.

tex-mex

Coming soon

Dallas restaurant group to open modern Mexican spot in Grapevine

Vidorra’s new Grapevine location will serve up a full lineup of tacos, sizzling entrees, and handcrafted margaritas.

Photo courtesy of Vidorra.

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A restaurant from Dallas that Grapevine residents have kept an eye on for over a year has finally set an opening date: Vidorra, a "modern Mexican" restaurant, is opening at 700 W. State Hwy. 114 in Grapevine on August 31, according to a release.

The concept is from Dallas-based hospitality group Milkshake Concepts and owners Imran Sheikh, James Faller, and Asim Sheikh, who opened the first Vidorra location in Deep Ellum in 2018. Since then, the restaurant has expanded to three more locations across the Metroplex — Addison, Rockwall, and Grand Prairie — as well as one in Nashville. Grapevine is their first one in Tarrant County.

Vidorra, which means "the good life," is known for its contemporary take on traditional Mexican dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and energetic atmosphere.

First announced in June 2025, the Grapevine location will serve Vidorra’s signature menu that includes aguachile, house-made guacamole, street tacos, sizzling fajitas, and enchiladas. Guests can also order the signature Parrillada en Fuego — an assortment of grilled meats and accompaniments served tableside in a sizzling 400-degree molcajete.

Vidorra Vidorra's signature Parrillada en Fuego, featuring an array of grilled meats, shrimp, nopales, and peppers.Photo courtesy of Vidorra

The beverage program will include handcrafted margaritas, an extensive selection of premium tequilas, and fresh seasonal cocktails. A standout item is a trendy Soft Serve Margarita, which combines a frozen margarita with creamy soft serve for a playful twist. During the week, Happy Hour will offer specials on margaritas, beer, wine, and select appetizers.

There's also weekend brunch, featuring chilaquiles, breakfast tacos, pan dulce French toast, handcrafted brunch cocktails, and tableside mimosas.

The location was most recently home to Hoffbrau Steak & Grill House, which closed surprisingly in February 2024, just a little over a year after it opened in November 2022 in a former Brick House Tavern & Tap, which closed during the pandemic. Way back in the day, it was a Romano's Macaroni Grill.

The new space will feature lush greenery, stone sculptures, warm lighting and expansive bar seating. There are also private event spaces.

“We’re incredibly excited to introduce Vidorra to the Grapevine community and open our fifth location,” says Imran Sheikh in the release. “Grapevine has such a distinctive personality, bringing together residents, travelers, and families throughout the year. We wanted to create a restaurant that feels equally welcoming whether you’re stopping in for brunch, meeting friends after work, or celebrating a special occasion.”

grapevine restaurants openings mexican food