Tag Archives: mexican

Moctezuma’s plans soft opening this week at Kitsap Mall

Diners can get their first taste of Moctezuma’s Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar in Silverdale this week.

The Kitsap Mall Moctezuma’s will hold a soft opening Wednesday afternoon, with a full opening tentatively scheduled for Friday or the weekend. Soft opening hours are 4-8 p.m.

“We’re definitely excited about opening and our staff is super excited,” Director of Operations Michael Goronkin said.

Moctezuma’s moved into an 8,000-square-foot space previously occupied by Hale’s Alehouse. Goronkin said Moctezuma’s hired about 130 employees to staff the Kitsap Mall restaurant.

Silverdale is the fourth location for the family-owned chain, which has restaurants in Gig Harbor, Southcenter and Tacoma.

Moctezuma’s restaurant opening in Kitsap Mall this fall

moctezumas45withLadyMoctezuma’s will bring its brand of fine Mexican dining to Kitsap Mall this fall.

The family-owned restaurant and tequila bar chain, which has locations in Gig Harbor, South Center and Tacoma, is moving into a 8,000-square-foot space previously occupied by Hale’s Alehouse.

13411826_1196363163730987_5738524364286351673_oMoctezuma’s Director of Operations Michael Goronkin said the company saw Silverdale as a vibrant market to expand into.

“It’s a growing community,” Goronkin said. “Restaurants out there have been really successful.”

The Kitsap Mall restaurant will be Moctezuma’s largest location to date, and will employ more than 100 workers, Goronkin said. Space in the restaurants is evenly divided between the tequila bar and dining room.

Goronkin said Moctezuma’s decor and food set it apart from other Mexican restaurants. Decorations are imported from Mexico. Food is made from scratch, using family recipes.

Amy_Johnson_-9152“We really focus on execution and make sure every dish pops,” he said “… it’s kind of an over-the-top experience. You feel like you’re in Mexico.”

Moctezuma’s will fully remodel the Kitsap Mall space before moving in. Goronkin said the process will take about five months, meaning the restaurant could open in November.

The previous tenant, Hale’s Ales, left Kitsap Mall but hasn’t departed Kitsap. The brewery recently established a distribution center in Bremerton, and plans to open a tasting room there in July.

You can check the Moctezuma’s Silverdale accounts on Twitter and Facebook for updates.

Courtesy images

Qdoba opens Friday in Kitsap Mall

qdoba-mexican-eats-logo_largeA Qdoba Mexican Eats will become the newest addition to Kitsap Mall‘s revamped dining lineup.

The fast-casual Mexican restaurant will open at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

Qdoba moved into a 3,000-square-foot space near the food court and hired 31 employees, according to a spokeswoman.

The restaurant will serve Qdoba’s typical lineup of burritos, tacos and nachos. The chain touts its policy of not charging extra for sauces like guacamole and salsa. Qdoba also provides catering.

Qdoba is holding a canned food drive in conjunction with its opening to benefit local food banks. Customers who bring three or more cans of food to the restaurant, Monday through Thursday during the month of November,  will receive a free order of chips and queso.

Founded in Denver in 1995, Qdoba was acquired by Jack in the Box in 2003. The Qdoba chain has more than 600 stores in 47 states. About half are franchised. More than 50 new stores were expected to open in 2015, according to a 2014 annual report.

Qdoba is one of a few new chain restaurants to join Kitsap Mall this year. Buffalo Wild Wings opened in February. Potbelly Sandwich Shop debuted in September.

Qdoba will have more competition in Silverdale soon with a Chipotle restaurant expected to open in The Trails at Silverdale shopping center in early 2016.

You can see Qdoba’s full opening announcement below: Continue reading →