"Opened the same week along a popular strip in Downtown Ventura as a full-service restaurant and marks the mini-chain’s first location with a full bar. The bar features small-batch mezcal for traditional margaritas or a flight to sip; all beers are Mexican and wines hail from Baja Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe. New menu additions at this location include a ribeye chicharron with mozzarella, chorizo, pasilla, and flour tortillas, as well as a tuna tartare with avocado, burnt habanero, and a crema serrano ponzu. Velázquez says timing was key for the Ventura and Carpinteria openings—the building’s landlord brought the opportunity, bringing his total number of restaurants up to five. “My goal has never been to open a chain of restaurants and make money. Our main objective and goal is to produce great food at a good price. We are driven by farmers’ markets, local fish, and great corn from Mexico.” Hours are Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday." - Mona Holmes