MANSFIELD — The Park 116 restaurant & bar will soon be in the hands of an experienced restaurant owner.
Jesus Davalos, part-owner of most of his family’s area restaurants including Panchos Tacos, El Campestre, Los 3 Mayas, Fiesta Cherra and Dulce Amor, has announced he and a business partner are moving into the former Holiday Inn hotel.
Davalos’ friend Max Patel is leading the effort among public and private local leaders to save and upgrade the 116 Park Ave. West hotel.
What’s the future of the former Holiday Inn in downtown Mansfield?
When Patel asked Davalos if he knew of any restaurants that could operate out of the hotel space, Davalos said he took it as an opportunity to expand his own businesses.
He will operate “Cancun Tacos and Margaritas” with a Panchos Tacos employee and business partner, Pedro Lopez.
“Pedro’s been a hard worker at the Bellville Panchos and I think he’ll be a good help here at the hotel,” Davalos said.
The name Cancun Tacos and Margaritas was inspired by Davalos’ yearly trips to Cancun, Mexico.
“There’s always fresh margaritas and tacos, and we’ll bring that to downtown Mansfield,” Davalos said. “People in Mansfield have been asking for another Mexican restaurant downtown, and it’s coming.”
Davalos said he’s not sure when he’ll be able to open the new restaurant because he has to ensure the space is up-to-code and compliant with Richland Public Health requirements.
“There’s nothing bad in there right now, but you have to go through inspections and things like that,” he said.
The menu will include vegetarian and vegan friendly options including tofu tacos, rice bowls and lettuce wraps.
Updates on the restaurant’s progress can be found on Facebook.
