Successful Birmingham restaurateur opens El Patron in Helena Helena’s newest Mexican restaurant is thriving, and some call it one of Shelby County’s best kept secrets. Owner Arturo Rosas wants you to be part of the following there, too. El Patron, located on Hwy 95 at CR 58, is in the building with Rio’s Bar & Grill. Arturo began looking for a location in Helena after many of his former customers from the downtown area requested that he open a restaurant in Helena. Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Arturo came to the United States looking for work at the age of 25, which he found in Birmingham. “I worked at Costas Barbeque as a dishwasher for three months before starting to cook on the grill,” said Arturo. He explained the next four years he spent working at Costas helped him realize how much he enjoys working in restaurants. Fifteen years ago, he finally left Costas to start his own restaurant, Los Amigos, which is still located downtown on the Southside. Starting a new restaurant was hard at first, but Arturo was
determined to succeed. “I never lost hope, even when money was running out at times,” he said. His hard work, faith and determination paid off as businessmen and UAB students flocked to Los Amigos, making it his first of five successful Mexican restaurants across Birmingham. Two years later, Arturo decided it was time to grow his business, so he opened up a second Los Amigos location in Hoover, which fared just as well as the first. After getting this establishment settled down, he then opened a restaurant called Acapulco in Homewood, followed by the Tecate Bar & Grill in Vestavia. When Arturo saw that Helena didn’t have many Mexican restaurants, he decided he wanted to offer residents here the delicious food he has been spreading across the Birmingham area. Since he raised his sons, Manuel and Jesus, in the restaurant business, the pair have been able to take over the
management of his other four restaurants, leaving their dad with the time to manage his newest venture here. Offering delicacies that many Mexican restaurants do not have, El Patron has set itself apart in the business. A traditional seafood paella, roast pork carnitas, shrimp cocktail and other dishes join the ever-popular fajitas, quesadillas and tacos that most all Mexican restaurants are known for. Decadent dinners for two with scallops, tilapia, bacon, ham and other less often used foods in Mexican dishes also offer a oneof-a-kind dining experience. “Our business has been steadily
growing, said Arturo. Many people like El Patron, and they come back,” Arturo said proudly. From the black bean cheese dip, salsa verde and traditional salsa that comes with the usual home made chips complimentary appetizers to the house-made guacamole and the large variety of vegetarian dishes, everything is delicious. And any restaurant boasting a 2-7 p.m. happy hour every day of the week except Sunday will usually stay busy. Give El Patron Mexican Restaurant a try today, and be sure to say “hi” to Arturo while you’re there—we think you’ll become a regular visitor!
HMS Show Choir’s Dessert Cabaret needs your support! The HMS Music Machine show choir will have its final performance at the Helena Middle School Dessert Cabaret on Saturday March 15, 2014. The Music Machine will perform reworked popular songs from the 80s as audience members enjoy gourmet desserts and beverages. Some of the songs performed
will be Money for Nothing, Video Killed the Radio Star and Material Girl. As the production progresses, the choir members change into a less formal costume for the final performance of Footloose. The March 15th show will be from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 12 and under
and include a spectacular performance, gourmet dessert and beverage. The HMS Music Machine Show choir is made up of 48 very talented singers and dancers. They practice each week and perform at various competitions throughout the state. All proceeds from the Dessert Cabaret will benefit the
HMS choral department and will go towards the purchase of needed equipment and music. If interested in purchasing a ticket, see a show choir member or contact Frank Andrews at fandrews@shelbyed.k12.al.us for ticket information and purchasing. Tickets will be for sale at the door until they are sold out.