Dos Santos, a family-owned Mexican restaurant with three locations in Colorado, will expand outside of state lines for the first time this year. Nashville’s location of Dos Santos is set to open this summer at the new Finery mixed-use development in Wedgewood Houston, located at 622 Merritt Ave, according to owner and co-founder Jason Wallenta.
Wallenta confirmed that the new location will likely open in just a few months, though an official grand opening date is pending permitting efforts. “The lease is signed and our architectural plans are currently in permitting with the Metro building department,” Wallenta told What Now Nashville on Monday.
Jason and his brother Kris Wallenta are the duo behind the helm of the business. The Dos Santos website describes that growing up, the two always talked about opening a restaurant one day.
“Eventually, Kris traveled to Cozumel to join his aunt and uncle and began working in their restaurant. Gaining much experience, he talked to them about a possible partnership. Very enthusiastic, they suggested he attend culinary school. He agreed and traveled to New York to attend the French Culinary Institute enjoying the phenomenal experience of training, living, eating, and seeing the many different cultures of New York,” the website states.
Kris opened his first restaurant in Mexico in 2008 before returning to the States to debut Dos Santos in Denver in 2015. Since then, the restaurant has opened two other locations in Colorado and has garnered a reputation for its authentic Yucatan-inspired dishes like chicken tinga tacos and shrimp ceviche.
Dos Santos offers a happy hour menu with discounted appetizers and cocktails all day on Mondays as well as from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. The restaurant also features weekend brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with dishes such as huevos rancheros, green chili eggs, chilaquiles, sweet potato pancakes, and more according to its online menu.
A full interview with Jason Wallenta to provide additional details is forthcoming. In the meantime, stay up to date with all things Dos Santos on its website, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
