El Carnicero Opens its Doors in Lakewood

For local chef and entrepreneur Eric Williams, opening El Carnicero in Lakewood was sort of like coming home.

The owner of the highly successful haunts Momocho and Happy Dog started his career at Maria’s Roman Room years ago.

When looking around for a location for his newest venture, El Carnicero, he passed on 11 other locations to open at 16918 Detroit Avenue, the space most recently occupied by McCarthy’s Ale House. 

Check out Patch blogger Sam Bridgeman’s post here 

The tamaleria and tequila bar, Super Chango, unofficially opened up Wednesday night.

It opens Thursday.

“I am excitedly nervous that there’s going to be a line and we’re going to be crushed,” said Williams, just hours before the first rush of customers stopped in. 

“It’s a good problem to have.”

El Carnicero is named after a retired Mexican pro wrestler who left the arena in favor of a kitchen. The warm and welcoming space is adorned with artwork reflective of that character.

The nearly 5,000-square-foot space resembles Momocho, but has a distinct style of its own.

“I really think this concept could work just about anywhere,” Williams said. “There are no tamalerias in Cleveland, and we’ve got great guacamoles, salsas, tacos and street food of Mexico.”

“I am super excited to be here.”