DeMun Oyster Bar will close and be replaced by Barrio

After eight years, the owners of DeMun Oyster Bar will trade seafood for Mexican, Latin American and Spanish fare. Executive chef Daniel Sammons said the DeMun Oyster Bar will close after its last brunch and dinner service April 8, and the space at 740 DeMun Ave., in Clayton will reopen as Barrio as about one week later.

Sammons said the idea for Barrio was born out of the success of Backdoor Burritos, a concept DeMun started last summer, selling custom burritos during the restaurant’s Saturday farmers market. He said the increasingly high costs associated with flying in fresh seafood daily was another reason for the revamp.

Barrio’s menu will focus on locally sourced ingredients and feature items like street tacos, Cuban sandwiches, arepas, empanadas, enchiladas and assorted tapas, along with some of the original Backdoor Burritos. There will also be a breakfast menu of around eight items to fill that early morning niche in the neighborhood.

“Everything is going to be based on sitting around and socializing,” Sammons said. “It’ll be a more approachable concept.”

Sammons said he will work with general manager Kelli McMullen on the bar program, which will focus less on wine and more more on classic and custom cocktails made with tequila and mezcal and boozy aguas frescas.

Sammons said initially the only changes to the space will be cosmetic, including new furniture and paint. Future plans include moving the bar back. Barrio will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 7 a.m. to midnight on Sunday.

Matt Sorrell is staff writer at Sauce Magazine.