Mexican-Filipino restaurant Mestizo Kitchen and Cafe set to open in Cleveland's old Chinatown

Jessie Mendoza and Armando Llamas are preparing to open Mestizo Kitchen and Cafe at 2162 Rockwell Ave. in Cleveland's old Chinatown, where they plan to serve Filipino and Mexican favourites and a fusion they call "Mexipino", Cleveland Magazine reported.

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Jessie Mendoza and Armando Llamas are preparing to open Mestizo Kitchen and Cafe at 2162 Rockwell Ave. in downtown Cleveland, Cleveland Magazine reported on 22 October. The restaurant will serve foods from each partner's heritage, Mexican and Filipino, as well as a fusion of both that they call "Mexipino".

"We are going to showcase all of the authentic Filipino favorites and then the most popular Mexican foods. But we're also going to have a blend of both cuisines, a fusion," Mendoza said.

Examples of the planned fusion dishes include birria-stuffed lumpia with consommé dipping sauce and chicken adobo-stuffed burritos. Filipino classics such as lechon kawali and a kamayan feast will also be on the menu. In the mornings, the restaurant will run as a neighbourhood cafe serving Mexican-style breads and pastries and Filipino cheese bread with coffee.

Mestizo Kitchen has taken over the former Sichuan Hot Pot space in Cleveland's old Chinatown along Rockwell Avenue, and the interior has been completely redone. "As you know, the Philippines is part of Asia, so that's why we chose Asiatown," Mendoza said. Cleveland Scene, which reported the plans on 20 October, also said to look for the restaurant to open in the coming weeks.