This Mexican restaurant in Fresno is 49 years old and doing something it’s never done
Javier’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina is one of those classic longtime Fresno restaurants that so many people have been to — but maybe haven’t been back to in years.
The family who runs it wants to change that.
So, for the first time in its 49 years, it’s opening on Sundays. Specifically, for a Champagne brunch.
The restaurant on Kings Canyon Road near Clovis Avenue launched Sunday brunch in early September, said Greg Rodriquez, the grandson of founders Lupe and Louis Duran. It runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“I was just thinking of new ideas, anything to bring hype back to the restaurant,” he said. “Covid was pretty hard for us.”
Now every Sunday there’s a spread of warm breakfast and lunch dishes to choose from: scrambled eggs, chile verde, rice, beans, tortillas, pancakes, pan dulce and chilaquiles (tortilla chips smothered in eggs, sauce and cheese).
At the end of the line, sits a big vat of menudo, the traditional Mexican soup made with tripe (cow stomach). It takes two days to make, so it’s not always available on weekdays, but it is on Sundays.
“It’s crazy. Those are the heavy hitters — the chilaquiles and the menudo. Those are things that just that fly off the table,” Rodriquez said.
Brunch costs $24.95 for adults and children 12 and under are $13.95. You can also add bottomless mimosas for $16.95.
In addition to the traditional orange juice and Champagne cocktail, the bartenders have been adding creative options such as pink lemonade and passion fruit mimosas.
Reservations are not required, but requested for large groups.
It’s still a work in progress. In the coming weeks, expect changes including adding singers. Also, appetizers will be for sale in the bar area for people who want to watch football games (but the regular menu is not offered during brunch).
Javier’s restaurant
Javier’s — named after one of the sons of Lupe and Louis — still has the old school charm its had for decades.
Louis, a mechanic-turned-restaurateur, died last year at age 88.
“When he passed, she brought me back,” Rodriquez said of his grandma. “We’re trying to rebrand it, bring back the fame.”
Rodriquez grew up working at the business, leaving to go to culinary school and work at other restaurants, locally and around the country (including Sam’s Deli after he returned to Fresno).
He’s noticing a bit of a homecoming for people who haven’t been to the restaurant in a while too, and wants to keep it going.
“There’s a lot people that grew up in that area,” he said. “They haven’t been to our restaurant in 15 years. They’re starting to come back.”
Details: Javier’s Mexican Restaurant is at 5680 E. Kings Canyon Road. Brunch is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. 559-252-4511.
This story was originally published September 22, 2023 at 5:30 AM.
