Peas & Carrots Hospitality will open its second MEX restaurant on December 16 at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The company, which is owned by partners Zack Sklar, Josh Humphrey, and Jim Bellinson, also operates Social Kitchen & Bar in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, the original MEX, which opened in August 2013, and Beau’s Grillery in Bloomfield Hills and Bernie’s Lunch & Supper in Chicago.
The kitchen will be led by Executive Chef Mark Barbarich, with the front-of-house being overseen by General Manager Bill Butler.
Serving innovative, upscale Mexican cuisine, the 6,000-square-foot restaurant is located at the entrance of the shopping center’s District 6, near Legoland Discovery Center. MEX will be open for lunch and dinner with seating for 220 guests in the main dining room, and private event space in MEX’s all seasons patio for up to 72 people.
The menu features seven appetizers, including two kinds of Quesadillas, Nachos and Guacamole; six soups and salads; a total of 11 entrees, including Veggie, Chicken or Steak Fajita Bowls, Carne Asada and Chicken or Corn Tamales; 11 varieties of tacos; five side items; and three desserts.
While the menu closely mirrors that of the original location, several new items have been added at the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets MEX, including the Chicken Enchilada Casserole, made with fire roasted tomatillo salsa, Mexican cheeses, cilantro, onions and corn tortillas; an updated Shrimp Taco, which is served with garlic mayo, carrot slaw, cilantro and crispy tortilla strips; and a Steak Taco, which includes poblano rajas, cotija cream, salsa verde and cilantro. All dishes are made from scratch with only the freshest ingredients.
MEX also features a comprehensive cocktail program of eight draft beers and house favorites such as Skinny and Classico Margaritas, which are available on tap, along with a rotating seasonal frozen margarita.
Parents will appreciated that for only $8, children under eight-years-old can choose from Cheese, Chicken or Peanut Butter and Jelly Quesadillas; Nachos; Tacos; and Taquitos. All options are served with cilantro-lime rice and soda.
“MEX has been one of our most popular concepts, so the decision to have it be our first restaurant located inside of a mall was an easy one,” says Sklar. “We are excited to open at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets and be a destination for shoppers looking for a dynamic and delicious dining experience.”
Adds Humphrey, “Recognizing the wide array of events that are constantly taking place at the mall and nearby throughout the year, MEX is sure to be a hot spot for anyone looking for a fantastic meal during a day of shopping or while nearby at a sporting event or concert.”
During the week, MEX will offer a variety of daily specials:
Monday: Margarita Mondays with the Skinny and Classico Margaritas each $5 all day; Kids Eat Free
Tuesday: Taco Tuesday, when guests purchase two tacos, they can enjoy a third taco for free
Wednesday: Hump Day, when an extended Happy Hour will be offered
Thursday: Thirsty Thursdays, when drafts will be $3 all day
In addition, guests who bring movie passes from the Outlet’s AMC Star Great Lakes 25 will receive free chips and salsa with the purchase of an entrée.
Similar to MEX’s Bloomfield’s whimsical design, whose décor is reminiscent of “Alice in Wonderland,” the new Great Lakes Crossing Outlets MEX features a large wooden door at the exterior entrance, as well as a neon color palette, Lazy Susan-style large round tables, booths, projected images and big screen televisions.
The restaurant, which recently hired nearly 40 employees, will serve lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 3 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
