Viva la Mexico

Since its opening a little over a year ago, El Charro Mexicano Aiea Restaurant has been serving a full menu of flavorful Mexican dishes. But now, it also offers a full bar and dancing.

In response to many customer requests, the restaurant recently got its liquor license and offers happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday featuring discounted drinks and pupus, such as a Mini Sampler of appetizers (mini quesadilla, flauta, and taquito with sour cream and guacamole) for $8. Margaritas are $3.50 or you can get a pitcher for $15.

On Spanish Saturdays from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., the tables and chairs are moved outside to make room for a DJ and dance floor. The kitchen is closed, but the bar remains open and a pupu menu is available. Customers also will be happy to hear that the air conditioner has been fixed.

“We wanted to do this for the community,” says John Ramirez, who owns the restaurant with wife Sofia. “They can come to eat and dance.”

A breakfast menu also was recently added and is offered all day. Menu items are served mild, however, customers can request for hot sauce. Some of the popular dishes include the Deluxe Salad ($9.49) served with grilled chicken fajitas, onions, pico de gallo, bell peppers, guacamole, sour cream and cheese; and the Chile Rojo or Verde ($12.49) with slowly roasted pork in a red chili sauce or verde sauce made with green tomatoes, served with rice, sour cream, beans and a choice of corn or flour tortillas.

“These are family recipes of chef Gloria Orias,” adds Sofia. “And it’s all dishes we like to eat.”

El Charro Mexicano Aiea Restaurant