“Every chef dreams of opening their own restaurant, to create something that didn’t exist before,” he said.
Hernandez was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, and has worked in Texas restaurants for 28 years. As the executive chef, he said he pulled from his Mexican heritage and Texas culinary experience to create recipes for the restaurant’s multicultural menu. “This menu is Mex-Tex,” he said. “I didn’t want to do Tex-Mex like a lot of places do, so I started Mex-Tex.”
To exemplify the “Mex” options, he pointed out the use of his mom’s recipe for capirotada, which is a warm bread pudding. He also highlighted torta ahogada, a sandwich served with a spicy sauce, which he said is popular in Guadalajara. He said his recipe for brisket was developed based on his experience gleaned over decades of working in Texas eateries.
He said the menu started out being a 50/50 split between Mexican and Texan items, but now it is more of a 70/30 split, leaning heavier toward Mexican cuisine.
Brunch is served every Sunday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The brunch alternates every other week between buffet style and a la carte menus. The buffet is $25 and features waffles, made-to-order omelets, enchiladas, salads, a brisket carving station and more. El Patio is located at The Realm at Castle Hills.
Hernandez said customers are often wowed by the ambiance both indoors and outdoors. Their two patios have tableside views of a fountain, and Hernandez said the rooftop patio provides nice sunset views.
“The whole concept is made to feel like a patio, inside and outside,” he said. “You walk in and see palm trees, greenery, a pergola, wood and stone. You feel like you’re in your backyard with your family, but here, you don’t have to cook.”
Hernandez said owning this restaurant is a dream come true.
“I came here without speaking the language, and now I’m able to own a restaurant,” he said. “I made my parents proud.”
El Patio
4400 SH 121, Ste. 140, Lewisville
972-410-2096
www.elpatiomextex.com
Hours: Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Mon. closed
