El Jalapeño to re-open first full week of February

Matthew Enfinger

Statesboro Mexican restaurant El Jalapeño will re-open its doors for business the first full week of February.

General Manager Luis Gomez said that this weekend he plans to train his staff and intends to reopen on Monday.

“We are going to keep on doing the same thing we’ve done before,” Gomez said.

Gomez said El Jalapeño’s reopening will only consist of the restaurant’s food and not alcohol since the business’ alcohol license has not been renewed.

Gomez plans to have a grand re-opening and fundraising night for Safe Haven when the business renews it alcohol license.

Update on civil case

The Statesboro restaurant closed on Nov. 20, 2017 due to operational problems, according to courthouse documents.

Former co-owners Rolando Ramirez and Oscar Canales filed a civil suit against Gomez on June 21, 2017.

The latest documentation of the civil suit, dated Dec. 4 2017, does not reveal the conclusion of the court case.

Gomez did not wish to comment on the conclusion of the lawsuit or any ongoing litigation.

Gomez said, “We’re going forward and coming back strong.”