Casa Borrega Opening on July 4, McClure's Sadly Isn't

Mexican bar/restaurant/cultural hub Casa Borrega will officially open this Thursday, July 4, along a burgeoning strip of O.C. Haley in Central City. Co-owner Hugo Montero tells the Gambit that his menu is inspired by the street food found in his hometown of Mexico city. Ian McNulty reports that an abbreviated summer menu will feature "antojitos, or small snacks...like gorditas, tostadas and tlacoyos... oblong masa cakes filled with beans and topped with cactus and cheese." 'Bout time we got some cactus up in here, y'all. The bar will also focus on Mexican cocktails, and there will be live music and performances too.

A full menu should be available by September (or sometime in Fall) when the restaurant will also start offering breakfast and lunch. Montego and his wife Linda Stone (also founder of recycled-materials nonprofit The Green Project) have renovated a 19th Century house into the totally green and beauteous restaurant and living space. Casa Borrega has already been hosting events at the location, including food truck nights, small music fests, a Dinner Lab, parties and fundraisers since late 2012. They'll join Velvet Central, Adrian's Bakery, Cafe Reconcile, and the upcoming addition of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum including chef Ryan Hughes anticipated restaurant Purloo on the rather booming O.C. Haley strip.

Meanwhile, Uptown, Neil McClure tells Eater that his very anticipated brick and mortar McClure's Barbecue sadly won't be opening by the 4th, as previously anticipated, but "possibly next week." They do have a brand new website up and running.

Casa Borrega
1719 O.C. Haley Blvd.
Phone: (504) 292-3705
Summer Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 5 p.m. to midnight

McClure's Barbecue
4800 Magazine St
New Orleans, LA 70115
Phone: (504) 301-2367
Projected Opening: mid-July

· Casa Borrega to Debut on July 4 [Gambit]
· McClure's Barbecue [Official Website]
· All Coming Attractions [-ENOLA-]