Owners of DSM's El Chero fight for liquor license in hopes to stay open
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El Chero Restaurant on Des Moines' east side opened about three months ago but the owners are fighting to stay afloat.
Driving the news: Drink sales are important for restaurant financials and the couple — Hans Gutierrez and Ziomara Mejia — are struggling while they attempt to win city approval for their liquor license, Gutierrez said.
- A city ordinance requires a 75-foot distance from parks for a business that sells alcohol.
- Their place is within 40 feet of Ashfield Park.
State of play: Gutierrez and Mejia met while working in another metro restaurant.
- He was born in Honduras and she was raised in El Salvador where she helped her mom sell street food.
- They got married about a year ago and are expecting their first child.
What's next: They will go before the DSM Zoning Board of Adjustment next week for a variance to the city's separation requirement.
- If approved, El Chero will sell margaritas and other alcoholic drinks as quickly as possible, Gutierrez said.
The menu: Dozens of culturally-inspired eats that include breakfasts with eggs, beans and cheese tortillas.
- The El Chero is one of the restaurant's specials that includes grilled chicken, shrimp, fried onion, guacamole, rice and bean.
What I ate: I was interested in the pupusas — thick griddle cakes stuffed with cheese and other goodies. They are a food Mejia sold as a child.
- I tried one with spinach and another with zucchini ($2.80 each).
💬 Thought bubble: Delicious.
- When I return, I hope to purchase an adult beverage in celebration of a restaurant that's unlike any other in the metro.
Hours: 9am-10pm daily.
- 1832 Hubbell Ave.
