Abuelo’s restaurant on North Green River Road will change its name and concept. The Evansville restaurant was selected to test a new concept by the owners. The new restaurant will be called Nieto’s and will become a division of Abuelo’s. The menu will remain Mexican with an emphasis on casual and value-priced items. We wish the new owners all the best.

Abuelo's getting new name, concept

Officials of Lubbock, Texas-based Food Concepts International, parent company of Abuelo’s, said the local restaurant will launch the concept Feb. 9.

Abuelo’s is closed until then for renovations, which will include the addition of a more casual look and a salad bar.

Nieto’s becomes a division of Abuelo’s.

“Evansville was selected as the test market because of its central, Midwestern location and its hardworking, dynamic residents who manage the demands of their lives by balancing their love of quality with exceedingly good value and adherence to budget,” said Bob Lin, president of Food Concepts International.

“The new concept is designed to deliver the same great Mexican food associated with Abuelo’s, but at an appealing fast-casual pace, with counter service and value-priced menu items — and no tipping required.”

Mexican food fans can expect Nieto’s to feature a variety of Mexican platters and entrees, including quesadillas, nachos, enchiladas, tacos, chimichangas, burritos and fajitas.

Prices are expected to range from $4.99 to $9.99.

The restaurant will also serve “bottomless” tortilla chips for 99 cents and taco salad.

Fast-casual restaurants, where consumers can get quick, affordably priced meals in a nice, casual atmosphere, are one of the nation’s hottest dining trends, according to a report by Technomic, a Chicago-based food industry consulting and research company.

“We are very excited to introduce this exciting new concept in Evansville,” said Arshia Bahrolumi, Abuelo’s Evansville general manager.

Designed to be “the next generation” of the Abuelo’s family, the Nieto’s name was selected because it means “grandson” or “descendant” in Spanish.

Abuelo is Spanish for “grandfather.”

“Our traditional Abuelo’s restaurants have earned a reputation for delicious Mexican specialties that raise the bar of Mexican food,” said Lin.

“Nieto’s Mexican Express offers us a way to further express our passion for food in a distinctively different way while at the same time giving our guests the same quality they have come to expect from Abuelo’s.”

Nieto’s will honor Abuelo’s gift cards and coupons, Lin said.

A grand opening is planned for Feb. 16 through 21.

Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/feb/03/abuelos-getting-new-name-concept/