5 things you didn’t know about Elsa’s restaurants, which just opened their newest location

Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant, known for Bad Juans and super burritos, has opened its new cantina-style restaurant in the Sugarcreek Plaza off Wilmington Pike.

READ MORE: New Elsa’s cantina-style Mexican restaurant to opens: Here’s what to know

Here are a few things you might not have known about the company:

Founded in 1945. The original Elsa's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina was founded 1945, and still operates, at 3618 Linden Ave. in Dayton.

From a 1995 Dayton Daily News article:

ELSA'S CELEBRATES 50TH: Elsa's Mexican Restaurants and Cantinas are celebrating 50 years of serving Mexican-style cuisine to Miami Valley residents. The restaurant was founded in 1945 by Elsa Bonner at 3618 Linden Ave., Dayton.

Four lawyers walk into a bar. The Elsa's that we know today was bought by four lawyers in 1979 from the daughter of the original owner, Elsa Bonner.

Demolition in Centerville. The shopping center next to Elsa's Mexican Restaurant and Sports Bar on Far Hill Avenue has been demolished. Bill Hemmert, Elsa's owner who bought the 3.7-acre space, told this newspaper that there are no final plans for the space, but there are some retailers and businesses interested in the space.

» MORE: Centerville strip mall demolished next to Elsa’s

Fifth location. Elsa's newest location is its fifth. The space at 6204 Wilmington Pike in the Sugarcreek Plaza previously housed Caramella's Italian Kitchen, and, before that, Murphy's Irish Pub and Barleycorn's. But it has been renovated extensively.

» LEARN MORE: What the new Elsa's will have that you won't find at any other location

Bad Juans available in stores. Bad Juan margarita mix has been available to store-goers in the Miami Valley for a number of years and has expanded out of the state. Bad Juans are now being sold on shelves in Tampa, Fla., according to Elsa's website.


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