The newly opened Tequila Comida & Cantina in downtown Wilmington joins a sister restaurant at 5607 Carolina Beach Road in the Monkey Junction area. It’s the latest project from brothers Miguel and Ramón Villaseñor, who also own the Los Portales brand.
The new restaurant beside Marina Grill on Harnett Street will be familiar to fans of the original restaurant but there are a few things that set it apart. For this project, the brothers partnered with developer Chuck Schoninger. After opening Marina Grill at Pier 33 in 2018, Schoninger said was looking for the right fit for a neighboring restaurant.
“It’s a lesson I’ve learned,” he said. “Go with what you like.”
He’s a fan of the Villaseñors and their restaurants. The new Tequila Comida, also known as Tequila’s Waterfront, officially opened on Jan. 17 and is now open serving lunch and dinner. Here’s a look at what to expect.
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River Views
Tequila’s Waterfront is a two-story restaurant, with a bar and dining area on the first floor. There’s also an additional L-shaped patio outside. A large mural and interesting Mexican art enhance the interior, but the space is dominated by the large glass panels that allow diners to look out over the Cape Fear River, the boats and the marina.