El Famoso—a Southern California-Mexican inspired diner and bar—will open to the public on February 16 for lunch and dinner at Gables Water Street, a mixed-use development in Las Colinas.
After traveling around Southern California exploring the origins and evolution of Mexican street food in that part of the country, owner and creator Charlie Green (better known for bringing Olivella’s to the Dallas Fort-Worth market) identified a forgotten niche in the fusion of Mexican comfort food with its American counterpart.
Green had a vision to open a greasy spoon Mexican diner in DFW, the kind that sprang up in and around Los Angeles in the 1930s and 1940s, had their heydays in the 1950s and 1960s, and all but faded away by the 1980s. Only a handful still remain.
From the streets of Mexico City, Tijuana and Monterrey, authentic Mexican cuisine made its way north of the border with the art deco styled eateries. American food such as the burger and chili found its way merged into the menus as well.
Green says, “We’ve replicated that same diner at El Famoso. Our guests will be transported to a time and place through the food offering, décor, and festive atmosphere. And like those first Mexican diners that have survived, we have captured the evolution of this iconic eatery in a diverse menu that includes street and designer tacos, burritos, enchiladas, American diner fare, and of course, some Tex-Mex influences as well.”
El Famoso’s 1900-square-foot interior and spacious patio intend to be a lively lunch and dinner destination.
Water Street is a mixed-use development, strategically located on the shores of the 126-acre Lake Carolyn, at the northeast corner of Las Colinas Boulevard and O’Conner Boulevard. Featuring almost 60,000 square feet of dining and retail opportunities, the project also includes 300 luxury apartments, a park for special events and pathways for the public to enjoy access and views of the lake.
