Margarita and chips from Mixtitos. Photo by Leah Moet.
“Sometimes I have seen nobody coming in, and we’re looking at the door just waiting for [customers], prepping and checking [food] labels,” said chef and owner Jose Luis Rodriguez with a sigh.
The slow hours have become the norm at Mixtitos, a family-owned fusion restaurant that will cease operation on May 31 unless they can generate a significant increase in business to stay open.
The restaurant, which opened on July 28, 2022, specializes in a variety of dishes, such as soups and salads, sandwiches, burgers and tacos. Their first year was successful for the small business and gained further attention the following year by making Yelp’s ‘Top 100 Places to Eat in Texas’ list.
Since November, Mixtitos has struggled to maintain customer traction at its charming and casual location at 2706 Samuell Blvd. Some days, the restaurant waits for a single customer to enter, while on others, they consider themselves “lucky” to have up to 20 customers pay a visit, Rodriguez said.
Every month mimicked the same storyline: few customers and little money, making it harder to pay employees and meet their rent.
In March, Rodriguez and the landlord made a tough decision to part ways with Mixtitos, with their last day set for the end of May.
However, the end of their story could turn around if business progresses from now until their closure, he said.
Chef Jose Luis Rodriguez of Mixtitos Kitchen. Photography by Sylvia Elzafon.
Since Rodriguez was a little kid in Mexico, he dreamt of owning a restaurant like Mixtitos. While working his two jobs in an office and a bar, he was taking mental notes on how to accomplish his childhood dream and what he would do to get there.
As a man who has worked his way into citizenship, college education, and now a small business, Rodriguez says taking money from people to maintain business operations would be the easy way out. As a father, he is dedicated to showing his kids that to achieve and maintain a dream, you have to work for it.
“Every single aspect of my life has been hard work,” he said.
To make ends meet at the restaurant, Rodriguez says he started working a second job as a server but having the extra cash without customers hasn’t been enough.
“This is challenging,” he says with tears in his eyes. “It’s hard because I have to go home. I have to go and work and come back and keep the [business operating].”
Though their fate appears to be set, the restaurant is asking for community support before it’s too late.
“We’re not giving up, but we need your help to keep going,” the restaurant said.
People can support Mixtitos through ordering catering, dining with family, grabbing a cocktail with friends, or having a business meeting at the restaurant, any kind of business can help, he said.
“I don’t want this to be just a moment,” he said, referring to his business, adding that he hopes the restaurant will have regular customers to help the business stay in Dallas.
Restaurant hours are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additionally, Mixtitos offers weekly specials including Taco Tuesday, Enchilada Wednesday, $5 margaritas during happy hour Thursday and Friday, $6 wine, $2 tacos and $8 burgers.
