Itacate closes Mexican restaurant in Penfield; a new concept is cooking

Itacate Mexican restaurant, which has served authentic fare since 2012 at 1857 Penfield Road in Penfield, has closed. 

Jose Abarca, together with Mike Pavone and Anthony Harlow, are cooking up a concept for the spot that will include barbecue, burgers and tacos. The plans are not set in stone, Abarca said, but “everything is very positive and looking good.” The three men are also partners in Lulu Taqueria and Bar in the Box Factory in Fairport. 

Meanwhile, Itacate is in the midst of a quiet soft opening for its fast-casual restaurant in Towne Plaza, at the intersection of Buffalo Road and Union Street in north Chili.

"That's where the trend is right now," Abarca said of the concept. "Our food lends itself to a more casual ambiance." He plans for Itacate to return to the east side of town, but with the new format. 

Jose and Lourdes Abarca, both natives of Mexico, opened the first Itacate in a gas station on Buffalo Road in north Chili in 2011. It soon grew a following for its freshly prepared, authentic Mexican fare — especially its reasonably priced, giant burritos. They now have two Itacate Express locations at gas stations: at 3095 Buffalo Road in Gates and 1477 Jefferson Road in Henrietta.

More:Itacate jumps on national trends, plans to open fast-casual Mexican restaurant in Chili

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TRACYS@Gannett.com