Only the name has changed

The food and decor are the same at a Mexican restaurant set to re-open Saturday. In fact, about the only major change is the name.

Chito’s will open Saturday at 35 W. Sixth St. The restaurant is in the spot of the former Yoli’s.

Chito’s manager Michelle Padilla said Yoli’s was in the name of a brother-in-law who decided that he did not want to be in the restaurant business any longer. Yoli’s closed its doors in early October.

“We kind of had to make the decision if we wanted to stop or keep on going, and we just didn’t feel like we wanted to surrender yet,” Padilla said. “We’re going to try again.”

While the restaurant was closed, Padilla said she had a number of people approach her while she was shopping to ask what had happened.

“I really appreciated that,” she said. “It made me feel good.”

Padilla’s husband, Angel, was the cook at Yoli’s and will continue in that role at Chito’s.

Padilla said the menu will remain virtually the same, although there will be some additions — including green chili and garlic shrimp.

Chito’s will offer more lunch specials and specials on the weekend. There also will be drink specials, once alcohol is able to be served.

Padilla said the restaurant had to apply for a new liquor license.

“We don’t want to stay closed for too long so we’re just going to go for it,” Padilla said.

The drive-through service will still be available for customers and carry-out is available. Chito’s also will continue to provide catering.

While there are several options for Mexican food in the area, Padilla believes Chito’s has the ability to stand out.

“What we’ve concentrated on from the beginning is we want to offer the authentic food, but we offer the Americanized version, also,” she said. “We offer both sides of that and I think that makes us different from other restaurants.”

During Saturday’s opening, Chito’s will have its fried flour tacos for $1 apiece.

Chito’s is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. The restaurant will be closed on Mondays.