Caliente Mexican Grill Opening in Dartmouth

DARTMOUTH (WBSM) — Dartmouth can expect a new Mexican Restaurant to enter town this spring.

Caliente Mexican Grill will expand its doors to the SouthCoast with a location at the former Papa Gino's on State Road. Doors are expected to open in May, right in time for summer.

The Mexican restaurant is a family business of brothers and sisters founded in 2005. This will be the eighth location and second in Massachusetts, with the other in Malden. In Rhode Island, current locations include South Kingstown, Providence and West Warwick.

What Made Caliente Mexican Grill Choose Dartmouth?

Caliente has a relationship with colleges  and decided a location near UMass Dartmouth makes sense. In Rhode Island, Caliente Mexican Grill is already located near college campuses such as University of Rhode Island and Brown University.

Owner, Frank Rodenzo shares that students especially can expect deals with the restaurant on food.

Rodenzo said Caliente loves working with the community and expects to strike up bonds throughout the SouthCoast.

Once open, Caliente will be neighbors with Fiesta Mexican Grill, another family-owned regional chain, just up State Road in Dartmouth and, even closer, Chipotle Mexican Grill. Other Mexican options already established in nearby New Bedford will be joined by The National Club Mexican Restaurant in downtown New Bedford later this year.

Food at Caliente Mexican Grill

Caliente Mexican Grill allows you to build your own dish for a dine-in or dine-out experience. It encompasses the taste of Mexico with its authentic styles of burritos, tacos and other Mexican-styled foods.

The online menu for the other locations lists items such as jalapeno poppers, loaded nacho fries, chimichangas and quesadillas.

A few things still need to be done before the grand opening. Rodenzo said the business is waiting on kitchen permits for a hood system. Other than that, minor changes include signage and interior painting.

Outside of the Dartmouth addition, a New Bedford location could pop up at some point although plans are not solidified.