Not sure when it opens but gotta say for me this is the most anticipated new restaurant in Duluth. I like Hanabi quite a lot, but nothing screams more to me than a good restaurant in that spot in Fitgers, with that view. (Was wishing it was open last week, actually.)

"April" is what I've heard.

The thing I don't understand is why does it always have to be a mexican restaurant in that space?  Is there something in the lease that says any restaurant there has to have a south of the border flavor to it?  I just love the thought process that says, "Hmmmmm, Mexican restaurants have failed here before, but dammit this time will be different!  We will have even more sombreros on the wall and maybe a pinata hanging from the ceiling!  We're sure to succeed!"

@ndy, I know Mexico Lindo is a good restaurant, but that will not ensure success.  The problem many restaurants have is trying to fill a niche that the area doesn't need.  I'm not saying a Mexican restaurant in that space is destined for failure, but history does suggest that a Mexican restaurant in that space isn't necessarily a great fit.  Also, to suggest that if Mexico Lindo fails, then every restaurant in that space will fail is ludicrous.  I'm simply suggesting that perhaps somebody think about a different approach to that space.

Wasn't that Chi-Chi's successful? I've been told that they went out of business because the entire chain did, not because that store failed. This could be wrong, but I've heard it from multiple sources.

I'd be more worried about the $14,000 / month rent.

Baja Billy's had mediocre food and bad service. They might have survived with better service. Last time I was there I actually had to ask for a fork...

We phoned the Cloquet location last weekend and asked when the new one was opening, and they said, "A couple of weeks."

I'm very excited by this.


Any new restaurant in Duluth is at least guaranteed 3 months of solid patronage. Duluthians LOVE new restaurants. If they don't succeed by then, they are destined to fail.


The view from that space is marvelous, but the location is not. It is hard to find and advertising to people on the lakewalk is pointless unless it is July or August.

I don't get it.  Do people like the Cloquet spot because it's hip or is it the sign is pretty?

I also gravitated due to the hype.  Been there twice.  Good service.  Food seriously mediocre.  I'm guessing many of these Lindo groupies also think Hacienda del Sol is the shit.  Perhaps I continue to order the wrong thing.  I will try again, but have trepidations.

It was better than Chi Chi's or Little Angie's, though.  Never even bothered with Baja Billy's food.  I had one drink at Billy's; a margarita that was actually a supersaturated sugar solution.  It may have been the bar tender, but eying the dishes, I decided to never return.

There were a few years that the Chi-Chi's in Fitger's was their most profitable in the nation.  Baja Billy's did not do well (the owners were the folks who sold the Buena Vista). 

Does anybody have any updates with regards to the opening?

I have been woefully out of the local news loop lately but chatted with somebody today who told me that the delayed opening of the restaurant was due to fire code restrictions and other road blocks that are rumoured to have been put in place by the Paulucci clan. 

Anybody else hear similar dirt? Sure hope that the Canal Park contingent doesn't have that much influence on the rest of town!

I sure hope that we have somewhat of a free market working here and that the good old boys can't exercise such influence just because they have proven (read: tax generating for Donny) businesses.

I agree with your sentiments about Little Angies. I have been there two times and will not return. I'd almost say that the Burrito Union has better food but they're a toss up IMHO.

"... road blocks that are rumoured to have been put in place by the Paulucci clan."

This doesn't even make any sense.

"I think the Grandma's cartel has enough to worry about without hand wringing, heavy sighs & rumored strong-armed tactics regarding competition."

How do you know that?

"Competition is the best form of flattery and should (should being the operative word) make you strive to do better." 

In a perfect world maybe. Tell that to John D. Rockefeller.

Angies is Tex-Boyardee, has its own niche.

The pauluci's have no pull with the fired dept or officials! Do you think the anti union owners of grandmas and the dfl union fire inspectors are colaborating? Get back to reality! They play by the rules and comply to all city codes! The reason Lindo isnt open is the same reason their food is so authentic and good! BUSTED by the FBI For illegals, u can pull that off in small town Cloquet, now the heat is on them. Rumor has it half the staff has been deported. And working for half min wage. Great for local workers! Food and drink is amazing, but there's a reason "no hablo englis"! Angies happy hour is still the best in town 3-6 half price everything... Ie corona $2.25 a bottle or grey goose for $3.13 a shot reg price drinks are spendy, but so is canal! With the $14000 a month rent what will stuff cost if the new lindo opens, and they have to pay $7.25 an hour!!!    ps chi chis duluth was a gold mine-they went under as a natl chain when 3 of there stores food on the east coast had salmonela outbreaks in the green onions 3 people died in 2003 as a result. The families sued them and hence no more chi chis anywhere not just Duluth... All this said i love cloquet Lindo and tge owner Pedro, and maybe this is all a rumor ;)

After visiting the Cloquet location, I can hardly wait for the Fitger's location to open. We come from Thunder Bay, where we have no Mexican restaurant (except for a local taco fast food place) If you've never been to Mexico Lindo, you are in for a TREAT!!

Cool. I had walked by yesterday and they where not, but it was bustling, so I was at least glad things seemed to be happening. Woo! Drinks on the deck.