Mexican restaurant Don Emiliano’s is coming to O’Fallon, Missouri. Husband and wife team Victor and Gabriella Arellano are shooting for a July opening at 8600 Veterans Memorial Parkway in the former home of S and S Bar-B-Que.
Gabriella Arellano said they aim to bring an upscale Mexican dining experience to O’Fallon. Victor Arellano is a native of Jalisco, Mexico, and Gabriella Arellano is a native of O’Fallon. The couple recently returned to the Gateway City from Michigan.
The Arellanos plan for Don Emiliano’s to “be a little more upscale than traditional Mexican restaurants in the St. Charles area,” said Gabriella Arellano. She also hopes to expose diners to nontraditional Mexican fare, such as lesser appreciated meats like lengua (tongue) through special menu tastings and tapas. “We just want to offer a different version of Mexico,” she said.
While favorites like tacos, quesadillas and chips and salsa will make an appearance look for different presentations like fajitas served in a molcajete. The restaurant will also have a full-service bar.
This article appears in April 2015.