A new restaurant specializing in American-style Mexican cuisine is set to open on Main Street in the heart of Downtown Galesburg.
El Barril Mexican Restaurant, with locations currently in Taylor Ridge and Woodhull, is eyeing a December or January opening in the former Whiskey Barrel restaurant, 325 E. Main St.
Owners Agustin Cuchil Brito and Nestor Lara tell WGIL they had been looking to expand and began looking at the vacant former Whiskey Barrel earlier this year. They will lease the property at 325 E. Main St., with an eye on buying the building.
“Both of our restaurants are in small towns, and we’ve been looking to open in a bigger city,” Lara said. “And we like this location in Galesburg.”
El Barril will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. It will offer Tex-Mex style Mexican food, featuring daily specials.
“I think we will feature a different taste than the other Mexican restaurants around here,” Lara said. “Our flavor is different. We’re more American-style, or Tex-Mex.”
Brito added, “We love to serve the people. Customers at our other restaurants say they love our food and they will be back.
“We are excited to open. We really think we can make it here. We can’t wait.”
The owners say the restaurant in Galesburg is nearly move-in ready, but the opening date is dependent on acquiring food permits and a liquor license.
