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Home > Blogs > Taste: Dayton food and restaurants > Archives > 2009 > September > 17 > Entry
Rudy’s closes; new restaurant opens today in its place
GERMANTOWN — Rudy’s Churrascaria has closed its doors in Germantown but will be replaced, perhaps as early as today, by an El Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant & Cantina.
Rudy’s, owned by Germantown chiropractor Dr. Rudy Mejia and his brother German Mejia and their wives, opened last summer at 42 N. Main St. as a South American steakhouse featuring rotisserie meats carved tableside. It ceased operations after business Saturday night, Sept. 12. The Mejias could not be reached for comment.
But their former restaurant was a beehive of activity Wednesday night, under the watchful eye of Garibaldi Rodriguez, district manager for El Rancho Grande, a small chain with more than a dozen restaurants in the Dayton and Cincinnati areas.
“We like this community,” Rodriguez said of Germantown. “We got the opportunity to open here because Rudy was going to close his restaurant … I think the community needs something like this.”
The restaurant hopes to open this afternoon for tonight’s dinner service, Rodriguez said.
El Rancho Grande specializes in Mexican dishes such as fajitas and quesadillas but also has extensive chicken, seafood, and steak offerings. “We are also known for our margaritas, our prices and our service,” Rodriguez said.
The new restaurant will be open daily for lunch and dinner, although it may adjust its hours later this fall, Rodriguez said.
For more information, call (937) 353-7375.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment | Categories: Restaurant closings, Restaurant openings
Comments
By Kat
September 18, 2009 11:08 AM | Link to this
El Rancho is my favorite Mexican Restaurant, and I am so excited that they are coming to Germantown! I hope some of the wonderful staff from the Miamisburg location come to G-town.By M. Adams
September 18, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this
Did someone lead you to believe that Rudys was a five star restaurant? Rudys was not overpriced. You get what you pay for. You are just jealous that you don’t have the money to start a restaurant and be successful like Rudy. Get a job or get a life.By R J..Miamisburg
September 17, 2009 11:14 PM | Link to this
OK.I ran into Rudy today. He said his brother, Herman to us, not Fred, had been hired by another place. So was leaving. Rudy’s was successful, that is not why he wanted to close it.He just was so busy with his pratice and the Log Cabin, that when the owners of ElRancho Grande, was in the other night to eat, they heard him talking about the biz and who would take over for Herman. So they stepped up and said We will take it over, change the name to ElRancho Grande. So Rudy and Collett went GREAT. Thank You. Biz was GREAT! People loved the food. Prices were not a big deal for them. My 81 yr old Dad ate there with me a couple of Weeks ago. Rudy sat down with us. He ate with us,had long talks with my Dad and I. Talked about his childhood and his Dad and so on. It was a great night. Place was busy. Rudy still took time to sit and gab. Some funny Jokes there Rudy.It was a better deal for Rudy all around. He still owns the Buliding. WIll still pop in from time to time. Heck Rudy loves G Town.He told me he is planning on buliding a Haunted House for next season. Rt 4 and 725 near that Breakfast Trailer. So Rudy is not going any where..Heck next year hopes toscare the Yell out of you..By Steven
September 17, 2009 10:59 PM | Link to this
El Rancho = El Nasty If you love El Rancho you must LOVE Taco Bell! No TasteBy Kim
September 17, 2009 10:00 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe this. I had heard so many good things about Rudy’s and had planned to take my boyfriend there for his birthday at the beginning of October….Guess I need a Plan B !By Sheryl Cowers
September 17, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
Done put together? That alone almost makes me want to ignore you (I haven’t decided about the name yet), but you do have a point. It seems they swoop in and buy up any failing Latin-American-based restaurant and rebrand it. Kind of vulturistic but that is perfectly valid in a capitalistic system where restaurants come and go. I can’t really begrudge them, they’re successful at what they do for a reason.By Mayor McHat
September 17, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
You can call it a “chain” all you want but while they may have more than one location they’re a locally and family-owned and managed venture built from the ground up by people who put their money and collective a$$es on the line to provide jobs and make a profit. Thats likely more than most of you complainers have done put together even.By Kathy
September 17, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this
I live on the outskirts of Miamisburg, and live only 5 minutes from G-town and would be glad for another option in Germantown besides fast food! Kudos to Rudy & El Rancho GrandeBy Sheryl Cowers
September 17, 2009 12:47 PM | Link to this
Gary J. Leppla said it best. At least Rudy’s was fairly unique, with hardly anything like it in the area. Meh on yet another addition to the two Mexican-dominated chains in this area. El Rancho is ok, but who’s going to go to Germantown for a chain restaurant?By Gary J. Leppla
September 17, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
Rudy helped save the historic Township Hall & Opera House in Germantown by continuing a commercial use under difficult conditions. He has continued to try to do the best thing for Germantown. The new restaurant will be a wonderful addition to the community, but everyone owes Rudy a tip of the hat. He kept this building functional for a few more years, and has been part of the solution.By R J..Miamisburg
September 17, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this
Sorry to see Rudy’s Closing.I have eaten there many times since they open.It was not the price of the food, but it was in Germantown. Who wants to drive to Germantown for South Of The Border Food. I mean I stopped since I had to be in Germantown. Both Rudy and Fred were great guys, They would always stop and say Hello to all.Rudy still owns the buliding, so nothing will change there. His Office and rebuliding the Log Cabin is now taking up his time. It was good while it lasted. Thanks Rudy/FredBy rene
September 17, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this
Rudy’s was overpriced and that fantastic anyway.Stick to being a “doctor”, Mejia. ElRancho is usually a great place to eat, and should have great success in Germantown!Good for them!By Mexican Fan
September 17, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this
El Rancho is ok .. Nothing like El Toro’s though…By Momcat
September 17, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this
Lucky for Germantown! You will LOVE this place! We have our favorite location on Poe Ave and eat there at least once a week. Great service, great food and great prices. Oh…and their hot salsa is killer!!By Sparty
September 17, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this
I LOVE El Rancho! So excited to have them in Germantown - there’s not another Mexican restaurant nearby, and I think they’ll do really well there!By null
September 17, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this
Just ate at the El Rancho in Fairborn last night - we eat there about once a week - large portions of great food, service, margaritas and prices