CHESAPEAKE, Va. – Local resident Yvette Hill, of Chesapeake, was recently named as the nationwide "Big Enchilada" winner in Abuelo's restaurants' recent sweepstakes. Hill's name was randomly selected from more than 7,000 entries in the sweepstakes to win free enchiladas from Abuelo's for a year.

Abuelo's "Big Enchilada" sweepstakes, which ran throughout the month of January, was open to all fans of Abuelo's Facebook page.

Hill and her family were recently treated to a celebration in her honor at the Chesapeake Abuelo's restaurant, located at 1712 Ring Road. Matt Shultz, Abuelo's General Manager, and other Abuelo's team members presented Hill with a commemorative "Big Enchilada" certificate at the event.

"At Abuelo's, we love giving all of our guests a VIP experience," said Shultz. "We were very excited to find out the Big Enchilada winner was a Chesapeake resident and regular guest of our restaurant here. We are thankful to have loyal guests like Anita, and we look forward to feeding her and her family a lot enchiladas this year!"

"My husband is out of the country a lot, but when he comes home, Abuelo's is one of our favorite pastimes," added Hill." We love to sit outside of Abuelo's during the summer while dining, and listen to the music and live bands. I was honored to be announced as the winner of the Big Enchilada Sweepstakes."



Yvette Hill, of Chesapeake, wins the "Big Enchilada" Sweepstakes and is congratulated at her local Abuelo's! Friends and family joined Hill in the celebration.

For a Limited Time Only, Pescado Mazatlán Featuring Barramundi: The Better Fish

LUBBOCK, Texas – Abuelo's Mexican Restaurants are bringing back one of its most popular seafood recipes, Pescado Mazatlán, for the Lenten season. Abuelo's, with 41 locations nationwide, will offer this item beginning February 18 through April 1.

Pescado Mazatlán is another delicious creation by Abuelo’s Executive Chef Luis. Pescado Mazatlán features mild, buttery and delicate Barramundi filets, wood grilled and served with shrimp and sea scallops in a light lemon sauce and topped with a cool cucumber salsa.

Barramundi, knows as "The Better Fish," is a tasty filet that has numerous health benefits behind its delicious exterior. Named one of Dr. Oz's top five superfoods, Barramundi is high in protein, low in fat and has half the calories of salmon. It is all natural, free from Mercury, PCB, synthetic chemicals, hormones or colorants.

New Pescado Mazatlán joins Abuelo's existing line up of seafood selections. Available at both lunch and dinner. Additional seafood selections include:

• Pescado Guerrerro – Tender, wood-grilled Barramundi filets with fresh shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, spinach, roasted peppers and sliced avocado in a delicious white wine sauce.
• Salmon Santa Cruz – Wood-grilled Norwegian salmon filet topped with a flavorful lemon wine sauce.
• Tilapia Vera Cruz – Delicate filets of tilapia sautéed with fresh shrimp, scallops, tomatoes, roasted Poblano strips and olives.
• Enchiladas de Cozumel – Three delicious crepes filled with fresh guacamole, covered in a rich white wine sauce with a medley of season shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, fresh spinach and roasted peppers.
• Fideo con Cameron – Shrimp, lightly sautéed with a cream sauce and seasonal vegetable medley, tossed with Angel hair pasta and topped with diced tomatoes.

"Abuelo’s strives to offer guests new, bold and creative flavors throughout our menu and Chef Luis is always looking to add new creations," said Robert Lin, president of Food Concepts International, Abuelo’s parent company. "We are excited to bring back Pescado Mazatlán, once again, as it was very popular when we featured it for a limited time previously. The combination of the great flavors and incredible health benefits Barramundi has to offer makes Pescado Mazatlán an Abuelo's favorite."

About Abuelo's

Since its first opening in 1989, Abuelo's has consistently been on the leading edge of Mexican cuisine, combining menu creativity, outstanding food and beverage quality, colorful plate presentations and superior service in an impressive Mexican courtyard-themed atmosphere. Owned and operated by Food Concepts International of Lubbock, Texas, Abuelo’s has received national accolades as the top-ranked Mexican food restaurant and as one of America's top overall restaurant chains in three consecutive biennial surveys by a leading national consumer rating magazine. The company currently has 41 restaurants located in 15 states throughout the United States. The company's newest fast casual concept, Abuelo's Taqueria, is now open in Lubbock. For more information, visit www.abuelos.com or Abuelo's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Abuelos.

 

LUBBOCK, Texas – Cheers! On Friday, February 22, Abuelo’s Mexican restaurants nationwide – along with tequila lovers everywhere -- will be celebrating National Margarita Day by offering $5.95 Premium Margaritas, from open to close.

Abuelo's will offer 10 different handcrafted premium Margaritas to celebrate this year – all specially priced at just $5.95 for the day. Abuelo’s signature premium Margaritas include:

• 1800 Hand Shaken Margarita – Custom built and hand shaken. Served in your own private shaker. 1800 Reposado Tequila, hand shaken with Agavero Agave Orange liqueur and sweetened lime juice.
• Platinum Margarita -- A grandiose presentation of a smooth, premium handmade Margarita with El Jimador Silver Tequila, Agavero Agave Orange liqueur and sweetened with lime juice. Served on the rocks.
• Frida Margarita – Elegant and colorful, this Margarita is a perfect modern-day depiction of Frida Kahlo, renowned for her colorful paintings. The Frida features Premium Herradura Silver Tequila, Grand Marnier and Agave Nectar – perfectly blended and garnished with colorful, fresh fruit.

Abuelo's other premium Margaritas are the La Paloma, Skinny, Presidential, Fusion, Cerveza Rita, Agave and Marigold Margaritas.

"National Margarita Day is a perfect occasion to enjoy our large selection of unique Margaritas. And what better way to celebrate than with $5.95 premium Margaritas all day long," said Brian Bell, VP of Beverage for Abuelo’s. "We hope everyone will come out and celebrate this fun, national holiday with us!"

Abuelo's restaurants are also encouraging their Facebook fans to participate in the days leading up to National Margarita Day by answering fun Margarita trivia for the chance to win special Abuelo’s prizes. National Margarita Day trivia questions will be posted February 15 through February 22. To become an Abuelo's Facebook fan, visit www.facebook.com/Abuelos.

About Abuelo's

Since its first opening in 1989, Abuelo's has consistently been on the leading edge of Mexican cuisine, combining menu creativity, outstanding food and beverage quality, colorful plate presentations and superior service in an impressive Mexican courtyard-themed atmosphere. Owned and operated by Food Concepts International of Lubbock, Texas, Abuelo’s has received national accolades as the top-ranked Mexican food restaurant and as one of America's top overall restaurant chains in three consecutive biennial surveys by a leading national consumer rating magazine. The company currently has 41 restaurants located in 15 states throughout the United States. The company's newest fast casual concept, Abuelo's Taqueria, is now open in Lubbock. For more information, visit www.abuelos.com or Abuelo's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Abuelos.

Relocation to New Location Planned for Spring, 2014

LUBBOCK, Texas – Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant in Midland has announced plans to move to a new location on West Loop 250. Abuelo’s is slated to leave its current location at 4610 N. Garfield, which it has held since first opening 20 years ago, and anticipates moving into the new Loop location in late 2013/early 2014. The new location will be on a building pad located in front of the newly opened Northpark Commons Shopping Center.

The new restaurant will be over 9,000 square feet and feature a new classic contemporary exterior and interior design with a bigger dining area with more seating capabilities and a larger, elegantly styled bar area. The new restaurant will also include an expansive 2,000-square-foot outdoor patio that will feature live entertainment.

"We are very excited to be moving to a new location on the Loop," said Robert Lin, president of Food Concepts International. "Our Midland restaurant has always been one of our very best performing locations and we are thankful to our Midland guests. We know our Midland guests will love the look of the new restaurant and the larger dining areas, not to mention the great new patio that will be perfect for live music."

LUBBOCK, Texas – Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurants’ recent “Queso for Heroes” promotion, held during the Veterans Day weekend, raised $12,500 to benefit Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization providing emergency financial and other assistance to military families and wounded warriors.

"Abuelo’s is thankful for the sacrifices our troops and their families make for our country and we are very pleased to be able to assist them through these funds," said Robert Lin, president of Food Concepts International, Abuelo’s parent company. "We would also like to thank our many loyal guests who helped raise these funds by participating in our "Queso for Heroes" program.

The "Queso for Heroes" promotion was held November 8-11 in all 41 Abuelo’s restaurants nation-wide, with $1 from every Chile con Queso appetizer sold, donated to Operation Homefront.

"We want to express our gratitude to Abuelo’s and their customers for their support for military families," said Amy Palmer, Chief Programs and Field Operations Officer for Operation Homefront. "Many Americans want to support our military but don't always know how, so it's great when a patriotic company like Abuelo's steps up and makes it easy to show the men and women in uniform how we all feel about them."

In addition to its Queso for Heroes donation, Abuelo's will donate an additional amount to Operation Homefront if the Abuelo’s Facebook page reaches 30,000 "Likes" by the end of December 2012. To help Abuelo’s reach this goal, go to https://www.facebook.com/abuelos and "Like" the Abuelo’s page to help raise more funds to support U.S. service members and their families.

"In order for us to increase our donation even more, we have extended our Facebook promotion to the end of December 2012," added Lin. "All you need to do is "Like" our Facebook page and ask your friends to do the same, whether you have 10 or 10,000 Facebook friends. By sharing, you are spreading the word about Operation Homefront and the incredible support they provide – while helping to raise even more funds for our troops and their families."

About Abuelo’s

Since its first opening in 1989, Abuelo’s has consistently been on the leading edge of Mexican cuisine, combining menu creativity, outstanding food and beverage quality, colorful plate presentations and superior service in an impressive Mexican courtyard-themed atmosphere. Owned and operated by Food Concepts International of Lubbock, Texas, Abuelo’s has received national accolades as the top-ranked Mexican food restaurant and as one of America’s top overall restaurant chains in three consecutive biennial surveys by a leading national consumer rating magazine. The company currently has 41 restaurants located in 15 states throughout the United States. The company’s newest fast casual concept, Abuelo’s Taqueria, is now open in Lubbock, Texas. For more information, visit www.abuelos.com or Abuelo’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/abuelos.

About Operation Homefront:

A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers with nationwide presence, and has met more than 590,000 needs of military families since its inception in 2002. A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 94 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes directly to assist service members. For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.

LUBBOCK, Texas – Lubbock-based Food Concepts International, parent company of Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurants, is opening its brand new, fast casual concept, Abuelo’s Taqueria, at 19th and Quaker on Monday, November 12. Abuelo’s has chosen Lubbock as the testing ground for this new fast casual concept that is unlike full service Abuelo’s restaurants in that is offers a completely different menu, fast casual format and a more contemporary and casual interior décor.

"We are delighted to introduce this exciting new concept to our hometown, Lubbock," said James Young, FCI Chairman and CEO of Abuelo’s. "Abuelo’s Taqueria will provide a convenient way for our guests to enjoy incredible new tastes from Abuelo's. It's ideal for both lunch and dinner for everyone who loves great flavor, but is short on time – from families, busy professionals and college students. The menu and format are also ideal for guests wanting their food to go."

Abuelo's Taqueria will include many exciting new menu additions that blend traditional Mexican tastes with unique, continental flavors. It will offer a variety of taco plates with handmade flour or corn tortillas, fresh salads, wraps and bowls with flavorful, handmade sauces and salsa. Guests will be able to choose from 10 different fillings, including perfectly seasoned beef, chicken, pork, shrimp and fish. A sampling of menu items, all created by Abuelo's Executive Chef Luis Sanchez, includes:

Taco Plates (guests can mix and match two or more tacos; served with beans or rice):

• Texas Cheeseburger Tacos – seasoned ground chuck wrapped in a fresh flour tortilla with romaine lettuce, sliced tomato and Jack cheese, kicked up with roasted tomato and jalapeño salsa.
• Chef Luis’ Brisket Tacos – slow roasted brisket with sliced tomato, grilled onions and peppers, Jack cheese and habanero salsa, wrapped in a fresh corn tortilla.
• Firecracker Shrimp Tacos – plump shrimp flash fried and coated in a spicy sriacha aioli and served in a fresh flour tortilla with shredded Napa cabbage, shredded carrot, cilantro, mango relish and Thai peanut dressing.
• Smoked Salmon Tacos – chilled, house smoked salmon with shredded Napa cabbage, fresh pickled cucumbers, shredded carrot, mango relish, capers, jicama and agave lime dressing wrapped in a fresh flour tortilla.

Fresh Salads

• Grilled Sirloin Salad – grilled sirloin with mixed greens, purple onions, grape tomatoes, cucumber, roasted corn, smoked bacon, asparagus, sugar snap peas, roasted pecans and fresh blue cheese crumble dressing.
• Fresca Chicken Salad – Tender grilled shaved chicken with mixed greens, shredded Napa cabbage, grape tomatoes, diced cucumber, jicama sticks, Jack cheese, fresh fruit and berries, mango relish, roasted pecans and chipotle honey mustard dressing.

Wraps and Bowls (guests can choose a protein with choice of white or whole wheat tortilla wrap or served in a bowl without a tortilla):

• The Southwest – choice of ground chuck, roasted or grilled chicken, grilled sirloin, brisket or carnitas served with grilled onions and peppers, romaine lettuce, roasted corn pico de gallo, chile con queso, pinto beans, cilantro rice and Jack cheese with roasted tomato and jalapeño salsa.
• The Bangkok – choice of roasted or grilled chicken, firecracker shrimp, fried or grilled tilapia served with shredded Napa cabbage, romaine lettuce, purple onion, cucumber, shredded carrot, crispy wonton noodles, mango relish, cilantro rice and Thai peanut dressing.

The menu also features a variety of quesadillas, plus a number of vegetarian choices, starters and specialty side dishes. Ice cold beer and delicious margaritas will also be available.

“Our traditional Abuelo’s restaurants have earned a reputation for extraordinary Mexican specialties that raise the bar of Mexican food,” said Robert Lin, president of Food Concepts International. “Abuelo’s Taqueria offers us a way to further express our passion for food in a distinctive way, while at the same time giving our guests the superb quality they have come to expect from Abuelo’s.”

The restaurant atmosphere features a contemporary design with exposed wood beams, light wood trimming and brushed copper accents, as well as warm interior colors of rich red, gold and buttery yellow. Seating includes both tables and upholstered booths with individual, dropped pendulum LED lighting. Guests can make their dining selections from dynamic, digital menu boards featuring bright photos of various menu items. Additionally, the restaurant will offer to go ordering by phone and later, through online ordering, with pick up available at a separate Taqueria Take Out entrance.

Meals at Abuelo’s Taqueria are reasonably priced, with many of the restaurant’s two taco platters priced at less than $5. All major credit cards are accepted and Taqueria Take Out ordering is available by calling the restaurant at (806) 369-7833. The restaurant is open daily, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.abuelostaqueria.com or Abuelo’s Taqueria Facebook page at www.facebook.com/abuelostaqueria.

For more information contact:
Melanie Carroll, Food Concepts International
806-785-8686, ext. 149; 806-789-7695 (cell)
melaniec@food-concepts.com

About Abuelo's

Since its first opening in 1989, Abuelo’s has consistently been on the leading edge of Mexican cuisine, combining menu creativity, outstanding food and beverage quality, colorful plate presentations and superior service in an impressive Mexican courtyard-themed atmosphere. Owned and operated by Food Concepts International of Lubbock, Texas, Abuelo’s has received national accolades as the top-ranked Mexican food restaurant and as one of America’s top overall restaurant chains in three consecutive biennial surveys by a leading national consumer rating magazine. The company currently has 41 restaurants located in 15 states throughout the United States. The company’s newest concept, Abuelo’s Urban Taqueria, is scheduled to open in Lubbock in November 2012. For more information, visit www.abuelos.com or Abuelo’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/abuelos.

LUBBOCK, Texas – Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant, located at 82nd St. and Quaker, has introduced a new menu designed to provide guests with greater variety, including several new Tex Mex and House Specialty entrées and new portion options. The restaurant is also now offering complimentary, fresh, handmade corn and flour tortillas made at a new tortilla station that is visible to guests.

Additionally, several other renovations and upgrades are being made in the restaurant’s dining room and bar areas, as well as the outdoor courtyard. Current upgrades throughout the restaurant interior include new, brighter paint colors, new LED lighting, plus new tables, upholstered chairs and colorful fabric booths, in addition to the new handmade tortilla station. Additional renovations are planned for the restaurant's outdoor courtyard including expanded shading, enhancements to the performance stage area and increased seating capacity, as well as expanded outdoor kitchen facilities. These renovations, as well as a new bar redesign, are scheduled for completion in late November.

"We are very excited about all the great, new changes and additions we've made – and have planned – here in Lubbock," said James Young, founder and CEO of Abuelo's restaurants. “Lubbock has been our home for 23 years and we are very committed to the community and our incredible guests here. This is our flagship restaurant, so we want to offer the very best dining experience possible for our guests and we believe these enhancements to the menu, our interior and the courtyard will definitely do that. Our guests know Abuelo's for our creative and delicious flavors of Mexico and our tasty new choices are consistent with our overall commitment to providing the very best Mexican dining experience in America"

Abuelo's new, expanded Tex Mex menu section features several new choices with great value, ranging from $8.99 to $10.29. Abuelo’s new choices include:

• Green Chile Pork Burrito – Slow-roasted shredded pork rolled in a flour tortilla with green chiles and mixed cheeses. Topped with green chile sauce and cheese, and a sour cream drizzle
• Beef and Cheese Chimichanga – Seasoned ground beef and mixed cheeses, lightly fried in a flour tortilla. Topped with chile con carne and queso, lettuce, tomatoes and a sour cream drizzle.
• Puebla – Cheese enchilada with chile con carne sauce and bean tostada, and topped with a sour cream drizzle.
• Chef Luis’ Favorite Enchiladas – Five new enchilada combinations created specifically by Abuelo’s Executive Chef Luis Sanchez.

Abuelo's has also added new, lighter portion options for several of its most popular Tex Mex entrées, including Fajita Tacos, Quesadilla al Horno, Chile Rellenos plus several House Specialties including Sautéed Chicken Zucchini, Stuffed Chicken Medallions, Tilapia Veracruz and Pescado Guerrero. Some appetizers and salads also now are offered in two portion sizes.

The new corn and flour tortillas, handmade from Abuelo's Executive Chef Luis Sanchez's secret family recipe, are made fresh throughout the day and served warm – and complimentary – to guests. The restaurant also recently introduced its new Salsa Excelente™, which features four complimentary, made-from-scratch salsas including Salsa Roja, Salsa Especial, Tropical Tomatillo Salsa and Salsa Infierno, all created by Chef Luis.

"Since opening our first Abuelo's more than 23 years ago, we are proud to be an active member of the Lubbock community through our many sponsorships and our involvement with local schools, other charities and organizations," added Young. "I first immigrated to America from Taiwan in the mid-1970s to attend Texas Tech University, and I am so proud to call Lubbock my home. I'm thrilled to make these improvements for our Lubbock guests."

For more information contact:
Melanie Carroll, Food Concepts International
806-785-8686, ext. 149; 806-789-7695 (cell)
melaniec@food-concepts.com

About Abuelo's

Since its first opening in 1989, Abuelo’s has consistently been on the leading edge of Mexican cuisine, combining menu creativity, outstanding food and beverage quality, colorful plate presentations and superior service in an impressive Mexican courtyard-themed atmosphere. Owned and operated by Food Concepts International of Lubbock, Texas, Abuelo’s has received national accolades as the top-ranked Mexican food restaurant and as one of America’s top overall restaurant chains in three consecutive biennial surveys by a leading national consumer rating magazine. The company currently has 41 restaurants located in 15 states throughout the United States. The company’s newest concept, Abuelo’s Urban Taqueria, is scheduled to open in Lubbock in October 2012. For more information, visit www.abuelos.com or Abuelo’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/abuelos.

LUBBOCK, Texas – Lubbock, Texas-based Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurants has been ranked as the nation’s top Mexican restaurant chain in a recent survey conducted by a leading national consumer rating magazine. This is the third consecutive time Abuelo’s has ranked as the number one Mexican restaurant chain in the report that is released every two years by the national publication. The results were based on a nearly 48,000-person survey involving 110,500 restaurant visits in which survey participants were asked to rate the best/worst aspects at 102 restaurant chains around the nation.

Abuelo’s ranked highest in the Mexican dining category with a score of 86, based on rankings in taste, value, service and mood. Abuelo’s score was the fourth highest of all restaurants surveyed, including such well known, high-end chains as McCormick & Schmick’s, Ruth’s Chris and P.F. Chang’s.

"We are thrilled to once again be ranked as the number one Mexican chain as one of the leading overall chains in the nation by this reputable publication,” said Robert Lin, president of Food Concepts International, Abuelo’s parent company. “This is the third time in a row we’ve received this top ranking, and are very thankful to our loyal guests for giving us such high ratings. We also congratulate our operators and team members on achieving this high honor once again."

Great Day Green Country featured Abuelo's in Tulsa, OK to discuss new additions to our menu. The new menu now features Tex-Mex items starting at $7.99 as well as specialty items designed to meet the needs of those with gluten sensitivities.

LUBBOCK, Texas – Abuelo's Mexican Restaurants have introduced a new, special gluten-sensitive menu with several items created specifically to accommodate guests who have gluten allergies or celiac disease. 

Gluten-sensitive guests now can select from 14 items featured on the special menu ranging from salads, Tex Mex plates and House Specialties, and even dessert. For instance, the new gluten-sensitive menu includes Abuelo's delicious Yucatan Shrimp Fajita Salad, a Tamale Plate, with two beef tamales, Pork Tenderloin with Honey Chile Glaze and several choices of fajitas including Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Shrimp Fajitas, Pork Tenderloin Fajitas and Vegetable Fajitas, plus several other entrées. Additionally, Abuelo's award-winning Traditional Flan, is also featured on the gluten-sensitive menu as a dessert choice.

"With gluten intolerances becoming a more common concern, we want to have menu items that all our guests can enjoy," said Robert Lin, president of Food Concepts International, Abuelo's parent company.