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Business & Tech

Cancun Mexican Restaurant to Open in Downtown Saline

A new Mexican restaurant is opening soon on E. Michigan Avenue near N. Maple Road. It features a colorful interior and authentic Mexican faire.

Cancún Mexican Restaurant will be opening soon at 405 E. Michigan Ave. in the building that once housed Signature Grille. A specific date has not been announced, but it is expected to open within one or two weeks, according to restaurant managers.

The Saline location will be the newest of about a dozen started by a group of four Mexican-born businessmen led by Ishmael Leon. Since they first opened in Kentucky nearly twenty years ago, there are now locations in Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan, including three in the greater Lansing area.

Managers Alfredo and Perla Castanon of Adrian, a husband and wife team, are working hard to finish the extensive renovations.

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“They didn’t anticipate how much money they were going to put into this place,” Perla Castanon said. “A lot of stuff has been remodeled or replaced.”

After an official inspection several weeks ago, they are now putting the final touches on the building. The last big step is laying a new floor in the kitchen. The restaurant will open pending a follow-up inspection.

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The interior is filled with brightly colored furniture and murals celebrating the folk traditions of Mexico. Leon said he went to Mexico to select the hand-carved and hand-painted furniture.

The restaurant will also have a bar in the main room and a special room in the basement for large private parties of up to 60 guests. But despite these attractive amenities, food is the main attraction.

"Our food is prepared fresh each day," Leon said via telephone.

"It’s actually more authentic Mexican food," Perla Castanon said.

The menu is quite extensive with prices mostly in the 8 to 12 dollar range. Many combination plates are available. The restaurant will also offer carryout.

Alfredo Castanon was born in Mexico but his wife is a Michigander. Working his way up from washing dishes, cooking, and waiting tables in other restaurants, this will be his first job as manager. Most recently he worked at Fiesta Ranchera in Adrian.

“I have a lot of customers from Saline,” Alfredo Castanon said, referring to those who have traveled to Adrian for Mexican fare.

Salinians need to travel no longer. The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

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