2009.01.29
New Mexican restaurant for Valley View
Mexican flavor is coming to Valley View Mall.
Los Dos Amigos is making plans to open on the mall's lower level, near the food court and Sears, according to a Roanoke building permit. Check out a map of the mall here. Los Dos Amigos is headed for space LD-160.
Valley View spokeswoman, Ashley Likens, told me that this restaurant will serve Mexican fare, but she hasn't yet disclosed information about the new tenant and the owner.
Just what we need, ANOTHER Mexican restaurant. Soon we will reach our goal of one for every person in the valley.
Comment by RMac — January 29, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
No complaints here, I love Mexican! Is the Baja Grill open yet?
Comment by Michelle — January 29, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
I hope its a real Mexican food and not an imitation like baja grill and abuelos. I sure do love Alajhaundros!
Comment by Matt — January 29, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
I drove by the Baja Grill location today. The sign said, "Opening Soon."
Comment by Jim D — January 29, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
I agree with RMac. We have a large amount of them but the all seam to be the same. I would make a joke "Have you been to Happy's flea market lately" but that might be in poor taste. Then again you don't see many Mexicans eating at these places. I think most are over priced for what little you get and it's just like Chinese food, you stuff yourself and two hours later you hungry again. But seriously just how many more do we need!!
Comment by Mike D — January 30, 2009 @ 12:47 am
Michelle and Jim D,
I recently learned from the owner of Baja Bistro Fresh Mex Grille that the Salem location will open by Feb. 10. This update will be included in my retail roundup column in this Sunday's Business section (Feb. 1).
Comment by Jenny — January 30, 2009 @ 11:38 am
Is this part of a chain, or a one-off location?
Comment by KevinL — January 30, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
Echoing Rmac and Mike D, in my opinion the problem is too many sheeple are snookered by the cookie cutter menus, chips/salsa and generic drinks. Too many have no real experience with quality "real" latin food. You would probably be appaled if you could see the state of cleanliness in the kithchens, food handling practices and the mass food production practices (most of what you will be served is not fresh by any means)...enough to rule out eating at any of the generic "mexican" restaurants for good. Additionally, the lack of english speaking by most in the restaurants is insulting and I am not going to go down the road of where your hard earned money is probably going....whoops.
Comment by BryRally — January 30, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
I think the Mexican fast food restaurant is ideal for Valley View.
It sure beats the previous establishment Burger Phantastic or whatever they called it.
Comment by Joe — January 31, 2009 @ 9:58 am
Hi,
My sister works for thw Western Va Water Authority and several
years ago when The District at Valley View was in the works, she saw
plans for a Chicos, Coldwater Creek and even a Chilis to be there, or a chilis nearby. Where did they go? She thinks things got so behind that
they just pulled out. Now we have mattress stores and spas in these
spots. Why on earth do we have to go to Lynchburg or Blacksburg for these
stores? Valley View needs to up their game and get some of the stores
like at the fabulous SHort Pump Mall or else.
I know things are bad now, but not forever. Will we ever get a Chilis
nearby? Lots of people are waiting>
Thanks for any news........
Gail
Comment by gail krieg — February 1, 2009 @ 2:41 pm
When will we get a Chipotle in the Roanoke Valley??
Comment by Lisa — February 1, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
I say bring it on! Maybe it'll be different in some respect. And at least it's something different inside the mall. If it's a fast food place it may be like Taco Bell, or it may be closer to the "El's," who knows until they open? I'm still looking forward to Baja Bistro's opening, from what I've read it WIll be at least some different from what we already have in the valley. My favorite is Alejandro's, by far! I've been to the new location three times now and have had good food/service each time, just like downtown.
Comment by Dennis — February 2, 2009 @ 10:19 am
Baja Bistro in Salem is supposed to open this Thursday. I heard it from someone who will be working there.
As for this new place at Valley View, it sounds different enough from all the El Rodeo's, Abuelo's etc. This sounds more like fast food. I'm all for different types of Mexican food in the valley, as opposed to just the El Ro type that all have the same menu (I like their food, but variety is nice).
Comment by AJ — February 3, 2009 @ 8:42 am
Just my opinion. I don't understand the fascination with Chili's, TGIF's and other national chain restaurants. They all have the same once frozen, reheated assembly line foods. Personally, I prefer locally owned establishments. The food is fresher, better selections and my money stays in the area.
Comment by Justafan — February 3, 2009 @ 4:27 pm
Well Justafan the next time you drive by a Chipotle stop in and take a look even if you don't like the food. Everything at Chipotle is made fresh right in the kitchen and is viewable from the ordering line. In fact I doubt very many of the national places serve frozen food. And I think you would be surprised at the true quality of food in some of the "local" places.
As for not eating at the "national chain restaurants" you mentioned, I guess if we all did that there would be a lot more people unemployed in the valley. Food is food. If it's good what difference does it make. Besides most of these "national" places are locally owned but franchised from a corporation.
Comment by Greg — February 4, 2009 @ 8:32 am
Greg, I'll give Chipotle a try, I love that style of food. National chains do use frozen foods, at one national chain restaurant, the stuffed chicken I had ordered 45 minutes before arrived at my table still frozen in the middle. Haven't been back to that one since. I do eat at some of the national chains and some are very good. And, yes, most are franchised and some are locally owned, but the owners have to pay for those franhises. Like I said, I'll try a Chipotle when I see one and will try Baja Bistro when it opens in Salem. I suggest you try Annie Moore's, Montano's, Norberto's, Mac and Bobs and other great locally owned establishments.
Comment by Justafan — February 4, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
Ms Boone, do you have any information about new resturants opening on Plantation Rd at the I-81 exit where the new retail center including Gander Mtn is located as well as all the new motels being built. There is only McDonalds & a mexican resturant currently. Any hope there will be other eating options in that immediate area? Thanks!
Comment by Carol — February 24, 2009 @ 3:07 pm
Hi, Carol,
According to county site plans, there are plans for at least one restaurant to open near the Gander Mountain development. But no restaurants have been slated to come there yet. Possibly once economic conditions improve, we will have more news on restaurant openings in that general area. I'll keep you updated as I find out about them. Thanks!
Comment by Jenny — February 25, 2009 @ 4:17 pm
I saw a sign up by the hotel (Days Inn maybe?) next to the interstate exit there and it said a restaurant/lounge called The Layover was coming soon.
That particular spot seems to have hosted a number of failed restaurants over the years.
Comment by Dylan — February 26, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
Dylan,
Thanks for the heads up on this new restaurant. At which interstate exit did you see the sign?
Comment by Jenny — February 27, 2009 @ 9:06 am