Mexican restaurant to fill space near Fat Dog's

There's a new drink in town. At least there will be in October, when brothers Nicolas, Manuel and Gustavo Morales plan to open Tres Margaritas, a Mexican restaurant.

“We think this will be great here in Sidney," said David Villasenor, who is heading up the local project.

He confirmed that the new establishment would stock a full bar, serving margaritas by the glass or pitcher. But cocktails are not the soul of this Seattle chain.

Nicolas and Manuel Moralas opened their first restaurant, Las Margaritas, in that city 27 years ago. It featured six tables, to match the six parking spots outside—and it struggled. Some months the brothers were forced to borrow money just to pay rent on the cramped location.

Things changed when a food critic from the Seattle Times came reviewed the place, writing that Las Margaritas ranked as the best Mexican restaurant in the entire state. The next day, the brothers sold out of all their ingredients and had to close early.

They eventually opened 15 locations in Washington before selling out to former employees and moving to Colorado, where Gustavo Morales joined the crew.

Under the Tres Margaritas name, the trio now have resturants in eight Colorado cities, as well as Margaritas Family Mexican Restaurant in North Platte.

Menus may vary, but the chain is known for its carne asada, tacos al pastor, mole poblano and molcajete as much as their margaritas.

Tres Margaritas takes over the vacant Fat Dog space on Silverberg Drive. The team have been renovating for weeks. They expect to open in October, but cannot yet offer a firm date.