Ask any longtime Lansing resident where to get great Mexican food, and chances are they’ll direct you to Pablo’s Old Town Mexican Restaurant. The local favorite eatery, founded by owner Pablo Maldonado in 2005, took home the prize for Best Mexican Restaurant (non-chain) and very nearly won Best Tacos, finishing second in a neck-and-neck contest with El Oasis.
Like many other major events in Lansing’s history, the foundation of Pablo’s happened seemingly by chance. Maldonado arranged a meeting with a woman to purchase a mixer. He intended to simply make bread to sell with his friends, but upon learning that the woman was selling all the equipment needed to open a restaurant, as well as the building itself, Maldonado decided to go big. Just a short time later, Pablo’s Old Town Mexican Restaurant was up and running.
Things are bound to get more interesting for Pablo’s, which is opening a second location, on Michigan Avenue in Lansing’s eastside neighborhood, near Strange Matter Coffee.
A second location planned for REO Town was eagerly anticipated for several years but never materialized. The new location puts Pablo’s right down the street from El Oasis, pitting two of Lansing’s most revered restaurants just a stone’s throw away from each other.
Support City Pulse - Donate Today!
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here