After gaining a loyal following in Clermont with their food truck and sit-down restaurant, Claudia Reyes and Mario Andrade have brought their culinary talents to Fruitland Park with the opening of Los Reyes Mexican Grill. The move wasn’t exactly planned as life threw a few curveballs their way, but when the former Soul Delicious space in the old Legends building became available, they saw a rare opportunity.

(Los Reyes is located at 3430 US-27, Fruitland Park, FL 34731.)

The building, with its distinct Polynesian-inspired architecture, now houses the vibrant and modernized Los Reyes, a restaurant that pays homage to both Reyes’ heritage and a contemporary vision of Mexican cuisine.

Setting up shop along U.S. 441 wasn’t without its hurdles. The corridor is saturated with Mexican food spots from La Palma and Ay Sonora to numerous food trucks making it a go-to stretch for food lovers.

To thrive in such a dense market, Los Reyes had to bring something different to the table.

(Every bite of Los Reyes Mexican Grill is fresh and delicious.)

“We knew we couldn’t just blend in,” says Mario Andrade, who manages the restaurant and is also Reyes’ husband. “There are a lot of great places nearby, but we wanted to give people something fresh, something that’s not on every menu around here. We put our own twist on the classics and brought in ideas straight from back home.”

The menu is a lively mix of well-loved staples and inventive newcomers. One standout is the shrimp chile relleno a hearty poblano pepper breaded and filled with shrimp, cheese, sautéed peppers and onions, then topped with red salsa and served with mango pico, black beans, and white rice.

(From fresh salsa to flavors that make you feel like you are in Mexico, Los Reyes Mexican Grill brings something new and fresh to the area.)

Andrade also pointed to their take on birria, a dish with roots in western Mexico and deep significance in Reyes’ family. Los Reyes means “the kings,” in Spanish. Los Reyes which is located in Michoacán, was also the ancestral home of Reyes and her husband Mario.

“We treat the birria with respect,” he says. “It’s bold, but balanced.”

One of the things you will notice is that Los Reyes uses fresh ingredients. They want every bite to feel as if you closed your eyes that you would be in Mexico. That is exactly what you get in every single bite at Los Reyes.

The restaurant’s interior is just as intentional as the menu. Frida Kahlo’s image is featured prominently throughout the space, blending artistic inspiration with cultural pride.

(Frida Kahlo’s artwork can be seen around Los Reyes Mexican Grill.)

“We really connected with her story,” Mario says. “She was fearless. Her art was bold, modern, emotional and she helped bring Mexican identity into the spotlight internationally. We wanted that energy in here.”

Now open for business, Los Reyes Mexican Grill is already drawing attention for its creative menu and bold design. While it’s not easy to stand out along one of Lake County’s busiest food corridors, Andrade is confident in what they’ve built.

“We’re not just here to sell food,” he says. “We’re here to share part of our culture and we hope people taste that in every bite.”

Los Reyes is located at 3430 US-27 in Fruitland Park. Be sure to give them a try.

Image Credit – Los Reyes Mexican Grill and Kyle Coppola