Citrus Heights welcomes new restaurant amid pandemic shutdowns

By Mike Hazlip—
Fuego Mexican Kitchen at Sunrise Boulevard and Antelope Road is the latest restaurant to open in Citrus Heights, offering a menu of burritos, bowls, tacos, and more.

The burrito bar opened on Jan. 2 next door to Yalla Yalla Mediterranean Bakery. Yalla Yalla owner Alan Liddawi is a partner with the new Mexican kitchen, referring to it as a family business.

He said the new restaurant offers service in the same vein as Chipotle, where servers make each dish to order. Fuego’s menu is simple with burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads as the only items listed on the menu board.

Executive Chef Joseph Aragon told The Sentinel Thursday the business is in the soft open stage as he trains staff. He expects to have an official grand opening soon.

“We want to be 100% before we do that,” Aragon said.

Aragon was the executive chef at Tres Agaves in the Fountains prior to Fuego. Liddawi said Aragon, also has corporate restaurant experience with chains Black Angus and Chevy’s. Aragon was looking for work after the restaurant industry slowed down as a result of the shutdown orders, according to Liddawi.

Related: These 6 restaurants plan to open in Citrus Heights in 2021

Fuego is open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The restaurant also offers catering and has a commercial kitchen, according to the business’ website.

When asked about opening a new business when so many others are struggling, Liddawi said he believes quality will bring success.

“You have to do good product, people will come back,” he said. “If you don’t do a good product, people won’t come back.”

If Yelp reviews are any indication, Liddawi maybe right. After being open a little more than a month and only 13 reviews, Fuego has a five star rating as of press time. Still, he hopes the economy will turn around soon, saying his business is managing to survive.

“We have no choice but to go up. There’s no bottom anymore, the only way is to slide up,” he said.

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