Restaurant thrives on its loyal customer base

For more than 18 years, Los Amigos has been serving Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine to Grapevine tourists and residents, and owner Arturo Gutierrez said business has remained steady.

Gutierrez and a partner took over the established restaurant in 1996, and then he took sole ownership in 2005 when his partner moved on. Though it has been hard work, Gutierrez said the restaurant continues to attract both locals and new patrons.

"Everyone knows us here in Grapevine," Gutierrez said. "We have good food, good service. [Customers] come back."

Gutierrez is a native of Mexico and came to Texas in 1991 in pursuit of a degree in electrical engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas. However, he said the restaurant business beckoned to him because he can be his own boss. Despite economic highs and lows, Gutierrez said business has remained strong because of loyal customers. He said his secret to keeping customers is a focus on customer service and serving quality food at an affordable price.

"When the economy goes down, the regulars are who support the restaurant," he said.

Gutierrez said a staff of six cooks prepares all the food from scratch daily. There are specials offered each day, which are listed on the restaurant's chalkboard.

Every meal comes with complimentary chips and salsa and bean soup, which Gutierrez said is a secret recipe.

Since taking over Los Amigos, Gutierrez has also owned two other Mexican restaurants in the area but has sold them both. He said he would like to expand Los Amigos to other locations in the future, but he is now just waiting for the right time.

"When the opportunity comes, I'm going to go for it," Gutierrez said.

Los Amigos

202 E. Northwest Highway, Grapevine, 817-488-1441, www.losamigosgrapevine.com

Mon.–Thu. 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 8 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.