2014 RH 25: Mercadito Hospitality

Alfredo Sandoval

Chicago

Annual Sales: $50 million

Units: 10

Key Personnel:
• Alfredo Sandoval, partner
• Felipe Sandoval, partner
• Patricio Sandoval, chef/partner
• Guillermo Tellez, chef/partner
• Paul Tanguay and Tad Carducci, beverage team/partners (Tippling Bros.)

SINGLE CONCEPTS:
• Little Market Brasserie (a restaurant in Chicago’s Talbot Hotel that offers American and European dishes and a beverage program created by the Tippling Bros.)
• Municipal Bar & Dining Co. (a stylish, upscale sports bar)
• Mercadito Counter (a Mexican deli concept that also serves American street food)
• MH Catering (the catering arm of the company)
• Mercadito Taqueria (a modern taqueria serving Mexican street food in Miami)
• Tavernita/Barcito (a small-plate concept and Spanish pintxos bar serving global dishes in Chicago)
• Mercadito Fish Co. (seafood and spirits)

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS:
• Mercadito (the group’s flagship concept that offers a blend of traditional and creative Mexican cuisine with units in Chicago, Miami and two in NYC)
• Double A (an upscale cocktail lounge in Chicago and Philadelphia)
• Tippling Hall (globally inspired comfort food with an innovative beverage program in Chicago and Las Vegas)

UPCOMING PROJECTS:
• Mercadito/Double A (Philadelphia)
• Mercadito Counter (Chicago)
• Mercadito Green Valley Ranch (Las Vegas)
• Tipping Hall Green Valley Ranch (Las Vegas)
• Mercadito (Washington D.C.)

WHY IT’S COOL: In the 10 years since the group was formed, the Brothers Sandoval have created a world-class restaurant company that is cornering the upscale Mexican market. While Alfredo and Felipe handle business, Patricio and chef/partner Guillermo Tellez create terrific Mexican food that pays homage to tradition while also adding modern interpretations. This is no rubber-stamp burrito, beans and rice outfit. And while most Mexican concepts offer a beverage program that relies heavily on the margarita (often a bad margarita), the Mercadito gang ensured its beverage program would go far beyond by partnering with the Tippling Bros., beverage experts extraordinaire.
 

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