Almost a year after it closed down due to a fire, Mi Ranchito 2 on Reynolds Road in Bryant is set to reopen next week. Owner Alex Jarros tells me he will open doors to the public on Wednesday, November 18. Jarros says he’s been hearing non-stop from loyal customers asking when he will be open again.
“Too many people, they actually come to my house and ask, ‘What’s going on? Do you need to borrow money?’” says Jarros with a chuckle. “But no, the insurance paid for everything, but a lot of people have been calling.”
On Dec. 15, 2014, a fire broke out in the kitchen at Mi Ranchito 2 after the restaurant was closed for the night. The few employees who were there at the time escaped unharmed, but the damage to the kitchen forced the restaurant to shut its doors. Jarros thought it would only take a few months to clean up, until the inspector took a closer look at the roof.
“The biggest obstacle, I had to bring in some engineering to rebuild the roof,” says Jarros. “The fire did a lot more damage there, and the inspector told me I had to hire an engineer. That took a few months by itself.”
Jarros says only a fresh coat of paint and a few minor chores stand between Mi Ranchito 2 and its grand opening. To celebrate, Jarros says he will offer a standing 10-percent discount on all food orders (alcohol not included) to start and is considering keeping that discount through the end of the year.
Mi Ranchito 2 will offer the same menu it did before it closed, including popular dishes like Arroz Mi Ranchito (grilled chicken breast with Spanish rice and queso) and Fajitas Alex. And it’s not just the food that will be familiar. Jarros is bringing back the majority of staff who worked there as well.
“It’s going to be the same crew, 90 percent the same crew,” says Jarros. “Same managers, same waiters, same cooks, some new faces, but most will be the same staff.”
When it re-opens on Nov. 18, Mi Ranchito 2’s hours will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.