By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–A brand new Mexican restaurant offering a wide range of food and beverage items will soon be opening in Helena.

El Tejano Bar and Grill is set to open on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 4257 Shelby County 52 in the location where restaurants Frankie’s Market Café and the American Ranch House formerly occupied the space.

After months of renovations, the Mexican bar and grill is set to open and will offer lunch specials, well-known Mexican cuisine dishes, combination dinners, salads, soups, kids items, vegetarian options and a full bar that will offer margaritas, pina coladas, beer, wine and more.

Owner Antonio Cruz said he has been working in the restaurant industry since the age of 15 and in addition to owning El Tejano, he also owns a fast food restaurant in Atlanta. Cruz bought the space for the Mexican restaurant from the owner of the previous restaurant in Helena.

As far as the food that’s offered, Cruz said he wanted to offer a little bit of everything.

“We have Tex-Mex food but I wanted to put some Mexican food and then some different things too,” Cruz said. “I want to put specials that will give people options.”

The lunch specials at El Tejano will be offered Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the majority of plates costing $6.99.

Other dishes include the burrito relleno, quesadilla dinner, chimichanga, enchiladas, burritos, tacos, 11 varieties of combination dinners and more.

El Tejano will be open Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The restaurant will also offer carry out orders and can be reached at 881-4026.