With Casa Corona out of northwest Fresno, a new local Mexican restaurant moves in
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Papi’s Mex Grill will replace Casa Corona at Bullard and West avenues.
- Owners Raul Gutierrez Jr. and Jovanie Gutierrez plan remodeling, full bar, same menu.
- This Bullard location will be Papi’s third site and aims to open before summer.
The former Casa Corona in northwest Fresno will soon be home to another Mexican restaurant — Papi’s Mex Grill.
Papi’s owner confirmed it is taking over the spot on the northeast corner of Bullard and West avenues.
Casa Corona closed its restaurant there in December 2024, declaring it was “not a victim of anything,” but that the owners wanted more time to travel. Its other location at Cedar and Herndon avenues remains opens, along with its sister concept, Viva Be Bowl’d, a quick-service eatery next door.
Papi’s Mex Grill
When Papi’s opens at Bullard and West, it will be its third location. It also has a restaurant at Champlain Drive and Shepherd Avenue, and a location at Riverwalk, the shopping center on Avenue 12, off Highway 41 just north of Fresno in Madera.
Papi’s owners Raul Gutierrez Jr. and Jovanie “Jo” Gutierrez also own Oak Hill Wine + Bistro in northeast Fresno.
Gutierrez Jr. said they chose the northwest Fresno location for a Papi’s because it was underserved and seemed like a good place for them to grow.
“It just felt like the right location for the right area,” he said.
If all goes as planned, the restaurant should open before summer hits, he said.
The interior, which has an old-school vibe, is getting lots of remodeling in the meantime.
“It will be like every other Papi’s,” Gutierrez said.
It will have a full bar serving the margaritas that Papi’s is known for, from the classic to a spicy mango.
“This bar might have a little bit more focus on classic cocktails as well,” he said.
And it will have the same menu, including its popular surf and turf burritos. Those are made with shrimp and steak or chicken, and smothered in cheese and Suiza sauce and served with rice and beans.
The first Papi’s opened in 2012 at the site of what is now Zaatar Bistro at Champlain Drive and Shepherd Avenue, before it moved Papi’s to its current location. Gutierrez’ parents opened Fajita Fiesta on Divisadero Street in downtown Fresno, and a Papi’s Mex Grill Express briefly once occupied the space.
This story was originally published February 6, 2026 at 10:25 AM.
