2 friends partner to launch Mexican Bar Co. at Plano mall’s ambitious restaurant district

Dunne, who had already moved to North Texas to make a better life for his young children, got on board. He called up his friend Patricio Sandoval, with whom he had worked as a bar manager when Sandoval was a sous chef. Together, they started Mexican Bar Co., which has been open now for more than a year.

Mexican Bar Co. mixes Sandoval’s expertise as a high-end food chef with his love for and knowledge of traditional Mexican fare. Sandoval’s training in French and Mediterranean culinary traditions allows him to provide each dish with a unique blend of subtle flavors, he said.

“Traditional flavors with a flair—different structures, flavor combinations—is definitely a winner,” Sandoval said.

In their first year as co-owners of Mexican Bar Co., foot traffic has been highest on the weekends, Dunne said. Accustomed to the night hours of New York City and other large metropolitan areas, they have implemented nightly specials and adjusted their hours.

They expect they could see even better traffic once more of the mall’s various projects come online, Dunne said.