Little Mexico to spice up West Side dining

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

When asked about the fire that brought Little Mexico Cafe to its knees last September, owner Enrique Ayala’s smile leaves his face. He looks down and says, “I was very sad.”

After 11 years of owning the popular Grand Rapids eatery, Ayala wasn’t sure he had the heart to rebuild. But so many patrons asked him when he was going to reopen that he didn’t want to disappoint them.

Two two-story buildings housed the original restaurant, which occupied the main levels only. Construction crews will replace the building that was destroyed at Stocking and Bridge and will repair and rebuild the interior of the other.

But this time, the restaurant will feature barrier-free dining on both floors of both buildings, including a rooftop terrace. A small stage on the main level provides performance space for traditional mariachi bands. Ayala will offer a full bar service and an extensive menu of authentic Mexican cuisine.

“Our most popular dishes are our wet burrito and our chimichanga,” says Ayala, speaking through translator, Rosa Dull. “Our green enchiladas, red enchiladas and chile rellenos are our own recipe; the secret is in the sauce. We use special dried peppers.”

The recipes are family recipes from Ayala’s wife, Consuelo, who manages the restaurant.

“The foundations are done and we hope to open in August,” says Jeffrey Parker of Jeffrey Parker Architects. “The main level has a lobby area and three separate dining areas. There will be a full kitchen on both floors.”

The café’s expansion brings 15 additional jobs to the area, an increase from 32 employees to 47.

Ayala, a native of Mexico and a naturalized U.S. citizen, emigrated to the U.S. 40 years ago. He purchased Little Mexico in 1998 after founding and operating the Supermercado Mexico, 1160 Chicago Drive—the store he says was the area's first Mexican supermarket.

Source: Enrique Ayala, Little Mexico Café; Jeffrey Parker, Jeffrey Parker Architects

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].