"The Ends" is Headed in that Direction
I swear, I don't understand this town's obsession with Mexican restaurants. I first moved here in 1996, and since then I've witnessed the rise and fall of Paco's, El Salvadore, Mi Gente, Don Jalapeno, and El Rio Grande. Those businesses all tried, and failed, to compete with the town's two established Mexican eateries. The first, Los Bravos (referred to simply as "Los" by locals), is considered an institution, and serves Mexican dishes that have been Americanized enough for the local palate. The second, La Carreta, hasn't been around as long, but managed to claim a share of the market by opening shop in the "new development" part of town and offering entrees with a different enough flavor to set themselves apart from Los Bravos.Los Cabos (in English: "The Ends") is the latest in the string of contenders. To distinguish itself enough to stay in business, it's going to have to offer something really extraordinary. Unfortunately, that doesn't appear likely to happen.
RIght off the bat, the restaurant's location is working against it. Jasper has been experiencing a surge of new growth on the north side of town in recent years, fueled by the location of the Super Wal-Mart. The layout of that side of town places the new commercial area at the top of a hill that drops off to the south, where a long stretch of residential zoning separates it from the former heart of Jasper business. Los Cabos sits between the husks of other businesses that clued in early and moved to the north side, leaving two empty buildings on either side of the Mexican restaurant and two more across the street. Not only that, but the building is the former home of El Rio Grande, which went under so recently that the new business is still using the old menus.
Just a suggestion folks: it may be time for a new business plan.
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