Ole, Dos Gringos Comes to Media

"I wish there was a Mexican restaurant in Media."

Now, there’s a phrase heard around town for years. Well, wish no more. Dos Gringos Mexican Kitchen is here. Two locally born and bred guys, Greg Quintiliano and Alan Reh, are opening up the restaurant at 113 South Olive Street, the former site of John’s Place.

"Alan and I grew up locally, and have always dined in Media. We moved here after we both got married, and we realized the same thing that other people were realizing. There is nothing here like this restaurant," says Quintiliano. "It’s been in the works for years. We loved the size of the place. We are both foodies in general, and Mexican food is something we both love. We wanted to offer a local place that has it."

The two men are no strangers to the food industry. Quintiliano has a managerial and ownership background, having successfully owned and operated Caffe Franco Ristorante in Lansdale, among many other food and beverage locations. Reh’s passion for all things culinary traces back to Philadelphia’s highly acclaimed Restaurant School. He also has solid construction knowledge. Together, the duo has combined their expertise and experience to create Dos Gringos.

Quintiliano and Reh are putting finishing touches on the building, and finalizing the menu selections, working along with executive chef, Christina Wilson. Wilson hails from the highly praised, BYOB Mexican restaurant, Lolita, located in Center City Philadelphia.

Dos Gringos will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Quintiliano says the menus offer traditional Mexican favorites "with a twist." For example, breakfast selections include cornmeal Mexican waffles topped with chili and honey cinnamon butter, as well as Huevos Rancheros, or eggs served on tortilla and topped with salsa.

Dos Gringos will pride itself on house-made items, including a chorizo sausage and homemade soups. The breads will be baked authentically, and they will use local meats and produce. Breakfast and lunch will cater towards Media’s workforce, and will be offered quickly at the counter if you’re in a hurry. You can sit at a table there, or take your goodies to go. Dinner will be a little different.

"Dinner will be table service. The menu will be more upscale, and a bit more expensive. The food will have more style and flavor than an average Mexican restaurant," Quintiliano says.

Dinner selections include a grilled adobo pork chop with pickled mango salsa and an ancho-crusted tilapia filet with roasted corn salsa.

Also, Quintiliano says don’t forget to "BYOT." T is for tequila.

"We want everyone to know it’s a BYO, so of course bring your favorite wine, but also tequila and rum. We will make up pitchers of margaritas and mojitos of different varieties each night," he says.

Quintiliano says they believe Dos Gringos will be successful, as so many diners look forward to having a Mexican restaurant come to town. If all goes as planned, Dos Gringos will be open the first full week in April for breakfast and lunch. In a few weeks, Quintiliano says he hopes to open for dinner during a grand opening celebration.

Be sure to check back with Media Patch for more on the grand opening, and a full review of the new restaurant. Click here to check out their Web site.

Dos Gringos Mexican Kitchen hours of operation:

Mon. and Tue., 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Wed. and Thurs., 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Fri. and Sat., 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sun., Closed