A new Mexican restaurant, Mi Ranchito Family Restaurant, opened Friday near the intersection of College Drive and Main Avenue in a space formerly occupied by BREW Pub & Kitchen.

Mi Ranchito is the latest venture for Jaime Lariz, a longtime Durango restaurateur, who owned San Marcos Mexican Restaurant on U.S. Highway 160 west of downtown and No Way Jose’s in the 1000 block of Main Avenue.

The restaurant’s menu will be similar to Lariz’s previous restaurants, he said.

“Everybody liked the food,” he said.

His previous locations proved to be problematic for his previous businesses, he said. No Way Jose’s was simply too small and the San Marcos’ building was “falling apart,” he said. San Marcos closed in September, he said.

“I am happy to be in a new location in the downtown,” Lariz said.

In a building closer to Durango’s night life, Lariz hopes to fill a niche for late meals on Fridays and Saturdays by staying open until 3 a.m. The late-night hours are expected to start in January, he said.

Lariz also opened up the building to seat more people than BREW by clearing space previously dedicated to brewing equipment. The restaurant can seat about 85 people.

However, Lariz preserved the bar and plans to serve margaritas, wine and other alcoholic drinks.

The restaurant’s menu features street tacos, carne asada, enchiladas, tamales, chile rellenos, mole and flautas, among other dishes.

The restaurant’s current hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Entrees are priced from about $11.75 to $16. The street tacos are $2.75.

mshinn@durangoherald.com