Free Meals For A Year Mark Opening Of Mexican Restaurant

Free Meals For A Year Mark Opening Of Mexican Restaurant
By Ines Bebea | Daily Republic | November 14, 2007 15:29

VACAVILLE - Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill is opening at the Nut Tree Village on Friday with a splash. But for eager customers who are expected to camp outside the restaurant tonight, the grand opening can't happen soon enough.

For its opening in Vacaville, the Carlsbad-based company will give away free meals for a year to the first 100 guests who walk through the door. The guests will receive a gift card that entitles them to a free meal each week for a year. The total value of each card is $364, or $7 per meal for 52 weeks.

'Rubio's is world famous for their fish tacos, and we are counting on people to have a great time in a very festive atmosphere to prepare for the opening,' said Linda Duke, a spokeswoman for Rubio's. 'We expect to have at least 80 people by 7 a.m. even though the restaurant won't open for another three hours.

'This is going to be a great event for a community that is rapidly expanding their retail market and needs restaurants.'

The new 2,400-square-foot restaurant with seating for 70 will carry all the traditional recipes created by its founder, Ralph Rubio, almost 25 years ago. Since opening the first restaurant in San Diego's Mission Bay community, the restaurant chain has grown to 170 locations throughout California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado.

This will be the second restaurant in Solano County. The first opened in Vallejo almost five years ago.

'When Ralph Rubio opened his first restaurant in the Mission Bay, people traveled from miles away to savor one of our world famous fish tacos,' said Larry Rusinko, vice president of marketing for Rubio's, in a statement. 'Rubio's quickly became known for flavors and products that couldn't be found anywhere else. We are excited about our new Rubio's in Vacaville and bringing Rubio's unsurpassed quality and flavor to legions of new and existing fans.'

Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.

Who: Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill
Where: Nut Tree Village, 1651 E. Monte Vista Avenue, Suite 101, Vacaville
What: Grand opening
When: 10:30 a.m. Friday