Two chefs strive to make El Patron special

Sarah Campbell / Salisbury Post

Sarah Campbell / Salisbury Post George Moreles pours a margarita for a customer at El Patron. The restaurant opened about four months ago and serves up authenic Mexican food.

By Sarah Campbell

scampbell@salisburypost.com

George Moreles Jr. and Angel Ruiz have been serving up authentic Mexican cuisine for more than 14 years.

The pair of professional chefs, who have owned multiple restaurants throughout the state, recently opened up their latest venture, El Patron Mexican Grill and Cantina, 130 Freeland Drive.

“Teamwork is important for everybody here,” Moreles said. “If we work together we’ll have good service and good food, and that means we’ll always have good business.”

The eatery, nestled inside the Salisbury Shopping Center, across from Walmart, is outfitted in traditional Mexican decor, creating a festive dining atmosphere.

Moreles and Ruiz wanted to bring their flair for authentic Mexican flavors to Salisbury by using fresh ingredients to make signature dishes like chile a la mexicana, which features ranchero style chunks of grilled chicken or steak cooked with ranchero sauce.

Favorites such as chimichangas, tacos, burritos and quesadillas are also on the menu.

“We are going to try to change the menu every three to six months,” Moreles said. “We don’t want to bore our customers with the same food all the time.”

Each meal begins with free tortilla chips and salsa. Patrons can add a variety of cheese dips or guacamole, which is made fresh at the table.

To wash everything down, Moreles recommends a margarita.

“We make very fresh, authentic margaritas,” he said. “We think we have the best ones.

Moreles said margaritas come in a variety of flavors including lime, strawberry, mango, peach and pina colada.

Locals become stars each Wednesday during the restaurant’s Karaoke Night, extending its hours until 1 a.m.

The night offers a variety of bar specials including discounts on mixed drinks and draft or bottled beers. The full menu is available with a special American twist — wings.

Moreles said he hopes to add Sunday brunch featuring a mariachi band in a couple of months.

Contact Sarah Campbell 704-797-7683.