Business & Tech
Ocean County Mall Adding Space for New Mexican Cantina
El Chico Cafe set to open in 6-8 weeks.
Patrons at the Ocean County Mall might have noticed construction near the Applebee's and Benihana restaurants and wondered what was cooking.
El Chico Cafe, a restaurant franchise predominantly found in the southern states, is making its debut above the Mason-Dixon line this summer at the Ocean County Mall.
Construction on the 5,600 square foot cantina-style restaurant is already under way and expected to open in 6-8 weeks.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
The restaurant, which owners said will bring approximately 60-70 full-time and part-time positions to Toms River, specializes in Mexican-styled cuisine. Dishes such as enchiladas, tamales and burritos are featured predominantly on the menu. A liquor license has been obtained and a full bar is planned for the location.
Hassan Halani, who owns the Benihana, said he decided to open an El Chico next to the hibachi-style restaurant.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
"I just love the food," said Hassan Halani, who owns the coming franchise location. "I first experienced El Chico about three and a half years ago when I was looking to open a Mexican cantina. I found it during my travels in Texas."
Halani, a Metuchen resident who owns both the Toms River and Edison Benihana locations, said that it took nearly two and a half years to get the restaurant to where it is today.
"There's a lot that (goes into) opening a franchise location because you're basically buying into the corporate brand," said Halani, who had to go through weeks of training in Dallas after being deemed financially viable enough to open the franchise. "The corporate people are basically banking on you to succeed."
The El Chico Cafe brand started in 1940 in Texas and has since then, expanded to nearly 100 locations in nine states with locations also in Cairo, Egypt, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Toms River location will be one of 28 franchised locations, and is the first in New Jersey.
"(This location) is by the shore and that's what missing in this area — a nice Mexican style cantina," said Halani. "I love the Ocean County Mall. It's a very friendly neighborhood."
