New Restaurant to Feature Burritos, Margarita Bar

Have you seen all construction going on at the location of the old Vallarta's restaurant in the Fountains shopping plaza?

Veteran restaurateur Chris Fragale, 60, who is the owner of Palm Harbor's Ozona Blue and City Fish in Oldsmar is opening a Mexican cantina. 

The "Burrito Bus Cantina and Margarita Bar" will be the 163rd restaurant that Fragale has opened. The 60-year-old says he's passionate about Mexican cuisine.

"That's my favorite food and I'm an Italian chef," he said.

The new eatery will offer a budget-friendly menu that includes a wide variety of burritos and a margarita bar featuring 30 flavors of margaritas. Fragale says it's possible to dine and have a cocktail for $12; A 22-ounce margarita will be available for $5 all the time and burritos start at $6.99.

The bar menu is not just limited to margaritas. Mojitos, sangria, Mexican beer and 60 tequilas will also be available.

Fragale, who studied Mexican cuisine in Mexico City, is planning on including vegetarian items in the menu. 

Tortillas and salsa will also be made in house. Customers will be able to view the staff making tortillas in a special glassed-in area inside the restaurant. Patrons will be able to purchase tortillas and salsa to take home.

"You can get a bag of fresh tortillas chips to take home," said Fragale.

Crews are currently renovating the inside of the restaurant to make it lighter and brighter. They're painting over chairs and benches. Fragale hopes to open the restaurant in about three weeks, which would be the second week in July.

Palm Harbor artist Art Maldonado, 54, is painting murals on the walls. Maldonado has also painted murals in Safety Harbor and Tarpon Springs.

Burrito Bus Cantina and Margarita Bar is located at 34718 U.S. 19, Palm Harbor

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