This Historic Michigan Building is Getting a New Mexican Restaurant

Tacos and tequila are a very common combination. If you travel around Michigan, you'll find plenty of great spots to get your taco and tequila fix, and now, we have even more, as a popular taco and tequila restaurant is expanding and opening a new location.

By the way, this restaurant is also known for its whiskey, but "tacos, tequila and whiskey" just doesn't have the same ring.

Barrio, a Cleveland, Ohio-based taco chain, has announced it will open a new Michigan location this spring on the first floor of the historic Helmer Building in downtown Grand Rapids. The restaurant chain currently has 12 locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and it's expanding. It's also expected to open a new location in 2023 on Muskegon Lake.

Barrio's menu is known for its build-your-own taco section, plus a whopping 100 different tequilas, cocktails, margaritas and whiskey options. In other words, they have plenty of drink options. Another signature item is the restaurant's "Mac'n On You Queso D," offering queso blanco, hot mac 'n cheese, bacon bits and Nashville hot sauce. According to restaurant plans, it will seat up to 130 people inside and an added 60 people on its patio. Around $1 million has been spent to renovate the 4,600-square-foot space for Barrio. Building owner CWD Real Estate Investment Inc. also conducted a restoration and renovation of the building in 2019.

"Barrio is known for having great food & service," the company states on their official website." "We're also known for our vast selection of tequila, whiskey and beer. The atmosphere is casual with a unique energy that's created from the combination of our decor, music and staff." Barrio also offers catering services and a food truck, with a "request a food truck" option on their website. Depending on where the event is taking place, there may be a travel fee between $50-$300.

"Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives," hosted by Guy Fieri on the Food Network, is one of the most popular shows for food lovers. There's just something super entertaining about Fieri, and the show is so fun to watch. What's extra cool is that Fieri has come to Michigan multiple times and picked local restaurants to highlight on the show.

TVFoodmaps.com has compiled a full directory of all the restaurants that have appeared on "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives." Think of this as a list of spots every Michigan food lover should visit. Some of these restaurants are familiar to me, like Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, while others I are not. My parents actually live just a few miles from Zaytoon Mediterranean in Lansing, Michigan, and I had no idea they were featured on the show until now. They do have some great Miditerranean food. Which are your favorite Michigan spots that you think should be featured on the show? Reach out to me on social media and give me some recommendations!

In total, Fieri has highlights 16 different Michigan restaurants on "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives." What can I say- we have some great eating spots here! View the full list of Michigan restaurants featured on the show below, and make sure to visit them at some point. View the full list here.

Address: 511 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201

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Address: 18 S Main St, Village of Clarkston, MI 48346

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Address: 2457 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207

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Address: 22950 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220

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Address: 54 S Main St, Village of Clarkston, MI 48346

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Address: 2990 Yemans St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

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Address: 120 W Main St, Potterville, MI 48876

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Address: 1224 Turner Rd, Lansing, MI 48906

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Address: 940 Elmwood Rd, Lansing, MI 48917

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Address: 2417 E Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48912

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Address: 1026 W Saginaw St, Lansing, MI 48915

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Check out their website too!

Address: 1200 N Larch St, Lansing, MI 48906

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Address: 4480 Hagadorn Rd #103, Okemos, MI 48864

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Address: 304 S Ashley St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

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