Montes, Partners Enter Dickson Street Market

Meliton Montes has proven he can sell tacos and tamales.

Now he’s giving tequila a shot.

“It’s been my dream to have a restaurant on Dickson Street and I’ve always wanted to open a tequila bar,” said Montes, who shares ownership of El Sancho Mexican Grill and Tequila Bar with his brother, Edgar, and two other partners. “When I saw this location, I knew I could make it work here.”

Meliton Montes is more than familiar with Fayetteville and the surrounding area. He also has part ownership in the La Huerta, Las Fajitas and Mexican Viejo restaurant chains, among other eateries.

And while Fayetteville’s two La Huerta locations alone generated more than $2 million in sales last year – based on tax figures released by the city’s advertising and promotion commission – Montes is hoping for more modest success at El Sancho. The restaurant is located at the rear of the historic train depot, opposite George’s Majestic Lounge.

There is seating for 58 in El Sancho’s dining room, and another 10 seats at the small but sturdy bar that anchors the 2,300-SF space. A 1,200-SF outdoor patio seats another 60.

Inside, there is a fun-waiting-to-happen feel, perhaps amplified by the presence of more than 100 tequila choices. The full bar also includes five beers on tap and an assortment of bottled brews.

An eclectic mix of art complements the high ceilings, brick walls and handful of flatscreen TVs. One painting features Sancho Panza, the sidekick of fictional character Don Quixote and inspiration for the name of the establishment.

Montes said El Sancho’s made-to-order menu is different than his other restaurants, and includes a $5.99 lunch special consisting of three tacos or enchiladas, rice and beans, chips and salsa, and a drink. The restaurant offers 25 free parking spaces from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

El Sancho is open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, with live music on weekends. Eight full-time employees and another two part-time bartenders work at El Sancho, which opened June 6 and ended the month with $28,500 in sales.