By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
“How could you pass up margaritas on the water?” asked Kelly Metrick, owner of San Miguel Mexican Bar & Grill, which opened Dec. 3 on Oswego Street in Baldwinsville.
While it’s a little too chilly to enjoy the patio at San Miguel, which is located in the former Muddy Waters restaurant below Sammy Malone’s, foodies can get their fajita fix to go or on the premises. San Miguel offered takeout starting Thursday, Dec. 3, and dine-in service was slated to begin Tuesday, Dec. 8.
“People still want to go out. People want to try and be as normal as they possibly can,” Metrick said. “We’re lucky we have that beautiful deck and we have that little bit of a hang where we can put tent flaps.”
Metrick started San Miguel about five years ago with the help of her mother, Michaelene O’Connor, and Waterloo-based restaurateur Saul Leon.
“It’s been a learning experience. Without them I wouldn’t have succeeded,” Metrick said. “Saul and my mom have been great mentors the whole time.”
The restaurant previously was located on North State Street in Syracuse. Metrick wanted Baldwinsville to be a second location, but the hardships of the coronavirus pandemic led her to close the Syracuse location and move the entire operation to B’ville. She brought her Syracuse staff with her.
“A lot of stuff took longer than it would have previous to COVID,” Metrick said. “Trying to stay positive and being creative to make sure that everyone has a job and keep this smooth …That was a struggle, trying to make sure we’re going to be there for them.”
Metrick, who lives with her husband and two sons in Baldwinsville, said the business community has been very welcoming. She said the owners of Angry Garlic and the B’ville Diner reached out to her ahead of San Miguel’s opening.
“I’m just excited to be with a large group of people that support each other,” she said.
Fans of San Miguel’s previous iteration will be pleased to learn the menu is largely unchanged.
“Everybody’s favorites will still be there,” Metrick said.
Metrick said San Miguel is working on a Sunday brunch menu and plans to serve traditional Mexican Christmas dishes later this month.
San Miguel is located at 2 Oswego St. in the village of Baldwinsville, downstairs from Sammy Malone’s. Visit facebook.com/sanmiguelmexicanbarngrill or call 315-303-4032 for more information.
