Chilaquiles, mimosa towers and late-night dining at new Mexican restaurant near Tacoma

The owners of Antojos Mexican Grill will replace their University Place restaurant with a fresh concept that involves lots of chilaquiles, mezcal and music.

Antojos closed in January at 5502 Orchard St. W, near the Tacoma border at 56th Street, after more than a dozen years. In its stead, the dual-concept of Casa de los Chilaquiles and El Vago Bar and Grill is targeting an April debut.

The Fife-based parent company, which also owns the El Antojo and El Rinconsito taqueria chains, decided the location needed a refresh, said Elias Guzman Brambila, a regional manager and the lead on the project.

Since 2022, it has, in a sense, been competing with itself: A much larger, slightly fancier Antojos Mexican Grill opened at 6104 6th Ave., just a 10 to 15 minute-drive north. It also boasts a more robust bar and lounge area.

In UP, they have done some light remodeling to prepare for Casa de los Chilaquiles. It’s a definite upgrade, said Guzman Brambila in March.

In the morning, the cafe concept will serve an array of chilaquiles and other Mexican breakfast dishes, including huevos ranchero, as well as American-style breakfast with a twist. Think masa waffles and thick French toast with a Mexican chocolate drizzle. Other spins on classics will include omelets and benedicts made with sopitos instead of the usual English muffin.

Expect mimosas with various juices and brunch-friendly cocktails like a tequila sunrise (orange and grenadine) and coffee drinks. On the weekends, things will feel even more decadent with mimosa towers, menudo and maybe even daytime karaoke.

After 3 p.m., the restaurant will shift in vibe to El Vago. That menu will feature dishes such as ribeye chicharrones, poblana milanesa, michelada-inspired filet tips, shrimp relleno, tortilla soup, a Caesar salad (trust — it was, in fact, the invention of an Italian immigrant in Tijuana) and a house burger — “a real, nice burger,” said Guzman Gonzalez. There will also be plenty of apps and snackable dishes to share, all with homemade tortillas.

They are aiming to cultivate an atmosphere that will be both casual and fitting of a night on the town or a Sunday brunch with friends. A sound system will allow for DJs and karaoke, which they anticipate rolling out around 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends, when the restaurant will switch to 21-and-up.

There aren’t that many options for late-night dining in the greater Tacoma area, but El Vago hopes to fill that void: It will be open through midnight most days and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday night.

Last year, the company refreshed its upscale Mexican steakhouse concept, Rey Carbon, in Lakewood, only to close it before the year was up. That location will also get a refresh soon, said Guzman Brambila.

CASA DE LOS CHILAQUILES / EL VAGO BAR & GRILL

▪ 5502 Orchard St. W., University Place, casadeloschilaquileswa.com

▪ Details: breakfast/brunch and late-night restaurant opening Spring 2025, follow instagram.com/casadeloschilaquiles.wa for updates

This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 5:15 AM.