Carlos Ibarra has only been general manager at Amigos & Tequila’s Fountain City location for five days, but he’s a Fountain Citian at heart. He went to Gresham Middle School and Central High School, and he’s glad to be back in the neighborhood. He’s seen his high school guidance counselor in the restaurant, as well as his first grade teacher.
And, he’s proud to be working for the business that won the Honor Fountain City Day Commercial Business Restoration Award. The Fountain City restaurant is the second location of Amigos & Tequila. The first is on Washington Pike near Home Depot. The second is on Harvest Mill Way, just off Broadway, next door to the Casual Pint. The storefront sat empty for many years after Ross the Boss hair salon moved across Broadway.
Amigos & Tequila Mexican Grill is located a space formerly occupied by Ross the Boss hair salon on Harvest Mill Way.
Ibarra said Amigos and Tequila owners Eddie and Francisco Hernandez are in the construction industry, and most of the remodeling that happened in the Fountain City location, they did themselves.
“When people walk in, you’re seeing their handiwork,” Ibarra said. “They’re very hardworking people, and they take really good care of their employees.”
Highlights of the menu include pineapple fajitas and a margarita that Ibarra calls the best in town.
“And I’ve worked in a lot of Mexican restaurants,” he said.
Ibarra said that some restaurant-goers seem to think that Amigos & Tequila is in the old Ruby Tuesday’s building on Broadway, but really they’re right behind it. The restaurant has been open for about three months, and right now Ibarra is concentrating on training his staff and hiring good people. He also wants to get involved in the community and be a good neighbor.
“We plan on being here for good,” he said.
