It has been nearly two years since El Frijolito, one of Watsonville’s best known taquerias, closed its doors to allow the owners to remodel and expand.
That project is now complete, and owner Sergio Carrera plans to reopen the renovated restaurant on Nov. 8. for a late 4pm opening, “until people stop showing up.”
The next day, the regular hours of 10am–7pm will begin, which will include the famed ‘hole-in-the-wall.’
This takeout window in an otherwise blank brick wall on the 400 block of Union Street has established itself over the years as a go-to lunch spot, where passersby could pick up burritos and other to-go food.
The new, larger indoor space boasts murals that make it look like a flower-filled courtyard. But while the additional seating brings a much-needed improvement to the restaurant, Carrera said hungry patrons will find their old favorites they’ve known since the place opened in 1985.
“We’re coming in with the same menu, but we do have ideas for expansion of the menu,” Carrera said.
Reopening, he added, brings a “mix of emotions and comes as a relief after such a long closure.
“It’s kind of surreal, to be honest,” he said.
El Frijolito is located at 11 Alexander Street #B in East Beach Plaza in Watsonville. It is open daily from 10am–8pm.
For information, visit order.toasttab.com/online/el-frijolito
