Although the doors opened a little bit later than initially hoped, Bridgeport’s newest restaurant is now welcoming customers. On Wednesday, Sol Azteka opened their doors for business, according to an employee there.

 

As the name may have revealed, it’s a Mexican restaurant. Daniel Gates, the CFO of the company, said in February he had hoped to have the eatery opened up in April.

 

The new restaurant is situated in the building once occupied by Hank’s Deli. Prior to that, it was the home for many years to Long John Silver’s.

 

“With the location being along our Main Street corridor, we’re pleased to not only see a new group come into Bridgeport and invest in our city, but to see them come in and renovate and upgrade a structure that’s been there for some time,” said Bridgeport Community Development Director Randy Spellman. “We certainly wish them well.”

 

The Mexican restaurant is the second in Bridgeport. It’s also the fourth Mexican restaurant within roughly a mile – and five if you add in Taco Bell – between Bridgeport and Clarksburg.

 

So is that a problem? Many said the last Mexican restaurant to open – El Rey – in Newpointe would fail because of too many others. That business is still open and often to large crowds.

 

“The market dictates if they’ll be successful and we hope that those in the area will be pleased to see a group invest in Bridgeport and this region,” said Spellman. “I’m aware that there are several of these options in close proximity of one another and just did some casual research as a result. I found out that, nationwide, Mexican-themed restaurants are the number one theme of restaurants in the United States. It’s trending right now and we’re glad they’re riding the wave into Bridgeport.”

 

Gates could not be reached for comment. However, when previously talked to he said that the location along the U.S. Route 50 and Interstate 79 corridor was key to locating in Bridgeport and, eventually, the Home Depot Plaza.

 

As for the menu, Gates said it will be authentic Mexican. The restaurant will offers sit down seating and has been painted inside with new booths.

 

According to the City of Bridgeport Tax Department, Long John Silver’s operated in the building from Sept. 1, 1991 to Dec. 31, 2005. It sat vacant for several years until Hank’s Deli opened shop on Nov. 5, 2009 and remained open until closing almost one year ago on Feb. 6, 2015.

 

Spellman said the business was issued a permit on Jan. 4 of this year. The permit was for $80,000.