(Image: Villa Escondida)
(Image: Villa Escondida)
Seattle Central College alum Jose Perez has shuttered his first restaurant venture as Villa Escondida is on a search for a new home — preferably on or near Capitol Hill, we’re told.
Word spread over the weekend of the affordable Mexican eatery’s preparations to shut down inside the Broadway Alley retail complex. A few fans had one last opportunity to eat at the restaurant Saturday night.
In a Facebook post, the restaurant’s management chalked the closure up to a “contract disagreement.” The restaurant had recently been unsuccessful in winning a beer and wine license for the location.
CHS covered Broadway Alley’s unusual mixed-use history here in 2012. It continues to house several Capitol Hill businesses including the much-loved and expanded Tacos Chukis.
CHS reported on Perez’s first restaurant venture last spring as Villa took over after Mexican sandwich shop Torteria Barriga Llena also pulled out of the Alley. The family connections to Capitol Hill’s Mexican food scene run deep:
“I always wanted to do it but never had the opportunity,” said Perez. His cousin,Misael Dominguez, has previous experience opening up businesses and is kicking in financial support. “He’s the one, I guess, that is teaching me all the stuff.” Dominguez, when we spoke with him last, was opening La Cocina Oaxaquena at Melrose and Pine last spring. Dominguez managed Ballard’s La Carta de Oaxaca back when the restaurant first grew into prominence. Roberto Dominguez, the managing partner of La Carta de Oaxaca and Mezcaleria Oaxaca on Queen Anne, just opened the beautiful the beautiful and mezcale-stuffed Mezcaleria Oaxaca Capitol Hill on E Pine.
The recipe of affordable Mexican food and breakfast options seemed to be catching on. Earlier this month, the Seattle Times named Villa Escondida to its roster of “best new cheap eats for 2015.” “This is the Mexican diner that Seattle’s been dreaming of,” the Times wrote in a sentence now likely filling you with deep levels of regret. Hopefully that regret won’t last long.
Keep an eye on the Villa Escondida Facebook page for updates about a new location.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I took, like, everyone here for dinner. Quiet atmosphere, great staff, reasonable prices, and portions that don’t leave you feeling like a stuffed pig after dinner. ;-(
This location is cursed. That’s three great eateries in a row that have shuttered down at that location.
I was sad Saturday night while enjoying the Torta and Mole that it was their last night. Sounds like they were told they would be getting a permit for beer but they also anticipated a liquor permit that never came through. They were just written up in the Times as best new place of 2015 to try. I hope they can find new spot quickly. I love the way they do things and their cooking is spot on. I wish them luck on finding a new spot and hope its on the Hill.
The place seemed to be doing great, definitely better than the previous sandwich shop. The other restaurants on that floor have all stuck around for a while so what really happened?
I hope they stay on the Hill. Maybe they could take over the former video shop on 15th or the spaces left vacant by either 22 Doors or the salon down the street from there.
“The restaurant had recently been unsuccessful in winning a beer and wine license for the location.”
Wise choice then. I know a lot of people in Seattle cannot drink, 12 step program, addiction problems and all that, but Mexican food pairs excellently with a fine Mexican beer and I, like many, would not eat at a restaurant which cannot serve beer or wine. Lack of spirits is fine though.
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