Quick Take
Lovingly nicknamed "The Bean," Watsonville Mexican restaurant El Frijolito reopened on Nov. 8. It was closed for nearly two years in order to complete extensive renovations, which doubled the size of the dining room and expanded the kitchen and other facilities.
At lunchtime on Thursday, a persistent line of customers trailed from Watsonville restaurant El Frijolito’s front door along the front of the building. Inside, large, hot plates of enchiladas, flautas and camarones a la diabla were swiftly carried through the dining room and placed on tables filled with hungry patrons, while tinfoil-wrapped burritos and to-go containers filled with tacos and sopas were whisked away by groups of Watsonville High School students.
Located on Alexander Street near Watsonville Plaza, El Frijolito, lovingly nicknamed “The Bean,” reopened on Nov. 8. The longstanding Mexican restaurant, originally opened in 1985, was closed for nearly two years in order to complete an extensive remodel that doubled the size of the dining room and expanded the kitchen, among other improvements.
The renovations took much longer than expected in order to “work through the city’s lengthy processes,” said property owner Clark Codiga. The “hole in the wall” walk-up takeout window, located behind the restaurant on Union Street, is currently closed but will open within a few weeks.
Sergio Carrera’s parents founded El Frijolito nearly 40 years ago. Now, he runs the restaurant with his mother, Elena Vega, sister Yadira Vega and uncle Salvatore Vega. Carrera worked with Aptos-based construction company Manning Development to increase the dining area, where archways, art and decorative murals add warmth to the space. Behind the scenes, the kitchen, offices, and storage were expanded, and the bathrooms were renovated. The ordering system has also been updated.
One thing that hasn’t changed: the classic recipes that made El Frijolito a neighborhood institution. In the camerones a la diabla ($15.29), a customer favorite, butterflied shrimp smoldered under a rich, smoky sauce made with earthy dried chilis and piled into warm tortillas. The chicken enchiladas ($11.99) were stuffed with tender shredded chicken and finished with a pass through the oven that toasted the top layer of cheese. Both meals came with flavorful refried beans and rice, as well as a small salad.
The community seems to have welcomed El Frijolito back with open arms. Fans left around 200 supportive messages on the restaurant’s Instagram and Facebook pages. On opening day, El Frijolito held a ribbon-cutting ceremony complete with mariachi musicians. By the end of the weekend, the restaurant nearly ran out of food, said Codiga.
He added of Carrera and his family’s work: “They’ve taken ‘The Bean’ to another level.”
11 Alexander St # B, Watsonville; 831-724-8823.
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