El Papagayo Restaurant Offers Taste of Jalisco

Rosalinda and Horacio Aceves have resumed ownership of after having been the original owners when the Marconi Avenue eatery opened 11 years ago.

The Aceveses at one point sold the business to friends but reclaimed it when the friends could no longer maintain it.

"Customers are returning and saying the atmosphere is better now than it used to be," Rosalinda Aceves said. "They said it used to be a lot darker inside."

Inside El Papagayo, which is Spanish for parrot, is an inviting dining room with a fountain near the entrance and Mexican artwork on the walls, including a painting of the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

The menu offers the flavors of the Mexican state of Jalisco including chile rellenos, carnitas, enchiladas and mole poblano.

The Aceveses are assisted in the operation of the restaurant by their son Brandon and recently joined the .

"There isn't too much business to go around these days," Rosalinda Aceves said. "That's why we small business owners need to help each other out so that residents stay in Carmichael and don't always leave the area to eat in downtown Sacramento or somewhere else."

Upcoming events at El Papagayo include:

-Cinco de Mayo today with handmade tortillas, $2 draft Modelo beer and live music by Javier Ceballos and Alejandro Jimenez.

-Zumba fitness classes every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Information: Sara Zurita 916-254-1050 or sarazu5@hotmail.com

-Carmichael Patch launch party and monthly mixer, May 11, 5:30-7 p.m.

-Live music with the band Monte Negro, May 15, 7 p.m. Contact restaurant for ticket information.