El Segundo

CAMERON MITCHELL’S LATEST CREATION Restaurant to Mexico to create an authentic Mexican eatery

Cameron Mitchell’s first Mexican-style restaurant is now open in the Short North.

El Segundo welcomed its first guests on Tuesday, and staff said the restaurant has been busy every night since.

The lively interior of the Short North’s newest eatery is lined with murals of hand-painted Mexican street art, and sombreros hang from the ceiling.

Rows of brightly colored booths line the dining room, and a show kitchen sits at the north end of the building within view of several booths and tables.

El Segundo spit grill

Customers can see pork roasting on a spit grill that El Segundo uses for its tacos al pastor. Meat slowly roasting on the vertical spit right in front of patrons makes the item the restaurant’s most popular selection, Executive Chef Geoff Baumberger said.

“People see that and they say, ‘Oh, I want to get that,’” he said. He said all the restaurant’s tacos and appetizers like chips and salsa are selling well so far.

Cameron Mitchell representatives went on a research trip to Mexico to create an authentic Mexican eatery, the chef said.

The group tasted tequila at a famous Mexican tequila distillery, sampled Mexican food, and picked several tequila barrels to bring back to the United

“They took inspiration from a couple of restaurants that they really enjoyed eating at. They wanted it to look like a place where you are going to have a good time.” Executive Chef Geoff Baumberger

States.

“They took inspiration from a couple of restaurants that they really enjoyed eating at,” Baumberger said. “They wanted it to look like a place where you are going to have a good time.”

Tacos cost between $15 and $17 at El Segundo. Other entrees run the gamut from $14 to $32.

El Segundo tequila

The restaurant’s drink menu is focused on Mexico’s most famous libation: tequila.

El Segundo features an ever-changing tequila menu, and the bar features frozen margarita machines and serves margaritas on draft.

“We batch it in-house and put it in a keg,” El Segundo General Manager Jessica Stull said.

The classic mixed drink is proving a best seller so far, she said.

“I think we sold 250 margaritas last night,” Stull said Friday.

Margaritas cost around $11 at the

Short North eatery.

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants wants El Segundo to be one of the premiere Mexican-style eateries in Greater Columbus, Baumberger said.

“Our goal is to provide you with the best possible Mexican restaurant experience,” he said. pcooley@dispatch.com @Patrickacooley

DORAL CHENOWETH/COLUMBUS DISPATCH General manager Jessica Stull serves an appetizer to Powell residents Joan and Greg Welsh at El Segundo, Cameron Mitchell’s first Mexican restaurant. It is in the old Rigsby’s restaurant location at 698 N. High St.

DORAL CHENOWETH/COLUMBUS DISPATCH El Segundo, Cameron Mitchell’s first Mexican restaurant, is in the old Rigsby’s restaurant location at 698 N. High St.