Ojos Locos

Last updated
Ojos Locos
TypePrivate
Industry Restaurant
Number of locations
13
Area served
Texas and Southwestern United States
ProductsMexican food, Southwest food, alcohol, beer
ServicesFood and beverage
Website ojoslocos.com

Ojos Locos Sports Cantina is a chain of Mexican-themed sports bars and restaurants based in Dallas, Texas, and having locations throughout the American Southwest. The chain is known for its waitresses (called "chicas") who wear cleavage- and midriff-revealing uniforms, leading to its colloquial designation as a breastaurant. It is often nicknamed the “Mexican Hooters”.

Contents

History and concept

Ojos Locos waitress with "balone" pitcher in foreground (2016) Ojos Locos waitress.jpg
Ojos Locos waitress with "balone" pitcher in foreground (2016)
Ojos Locos waitress wearing official uniform (2016) Ojos Locos waitress pouring drink (cropped).jpg
Ojos Locos waitress wearing official uniform (2016)

Ojos Locos (pronounced [ˈo.xosˈlo.kos] , Spanish for "Crazy Eyes") was founded in 2010 by restaurateurs Randy DeWitt, Jack Gibbons, Rich Hicks, and Todd East. [1] DeWitt, the owner of parent company Front Burner Restaurants, had previously founded Twin Peaks, a chain of wilderness lodge-themed breastaurants, in 2005. [2] The 2010 opening of the first Ojos Locos restaurant in Dallas coincided closely with the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the chain has consistently emphasized soccer as a principal sport to watch at its locations. [3] [4] [5]

Ojos Locos has been called a "Mexican Hooters" [3] or "Twin Peaks for a Hispanic customer base" [2] [4] and markets itself to working class Hispanic men. [3] Workers at the chain frequently speak both Spanish and English [3] and The New York Times has singled out the restaurant as an example of an establishment that has thrived even during an anti-Spanish-language political environment. [6] D Magazine cited it as being the best sports bar in Dallas in 2013. [5]

The servers at Ojos Locos are known as "chicas" [3] [7] and wear short skirts along with cleavage and midriff-baring outfits, leading the chain to colloquially be referred to as a "breastaurant". [8] [9] The food served is a mix of Mexican and Southwestern American food developed by chef John Franke, [10] with tacos being a particular specialty. [8] They are also known for their tall beer pitchers called "balones" that contain 100 US fluid ounces (3.0 L). [3] [7] As of 2020, there were thirteen locations across Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. [11] As with their sister chain, Twin Peaks, they promote the 29 °F (−2 °C) temperature of their beer, which is the coldest temperature possible before ice crystals begin to form in the beer they serve. [12] [13] Ojos Locos restaurants feature numerous large screen televisions (including one in each booth) [14] showing Spanish-language sports broadcasts (especially soccer, boxing, and UFC matches). [1] [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taco Bell</span> American fast-food chain

Taco Bell IP Holder, LLC, d/b/a Taco Bell, is an American multinational chain of fast food restaurants founded in 1962 by Glen Bell (1923–2010) in Downey, California. Taco Bell is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. The restaurants serve a variety of Mexican-inspired foods, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, novelty and speciality items, and a variety of "value menu" items. As of 2018, Taco Bell serves over two billion customers each year, at 7,072 restaurants, more than 93 percent of which are owned and operated by independent franchisees and licensees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Margarita</span> Mexican cocktail of tequila and orange liqueur

A margarita is a cocktail consisting of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Some margarita recipes include simple syrup as well and are often served with salt on the rim of the glass. Margaritas can be served either shaken with ice, without ice, or blended with ice. Most bars serve margaritas in a stepped-diameter variant of a cocktail glass or champagne coupe called a margarita glass. The margarita is one of the world's most popular cocktails and the most popular tequila-based cocktail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Pollo Loco</span> American and Mexican fast food restaurant chains

El Pollo Loco (Spanish for "The Crazy Chicken") is the name of two independent restaurant chains that specialize in Mexican-style grilled chicken. Both were founded by Juan Francisco Ochoa. He established the first El Pollo Loco restaurant in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico in 1974. Ochoa then expanded his chain into the United States in 1980. He later sold his U.S. restaurants in 1983 while keeping the ones in Mexico. The two companies have since occupied non-overlapping global territories and have offered different fare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hooters</span> American restaurant chain

Hooters is the registered trademark used by two American restaurant chains: Hooters, Inc., based in Clearwater, Florida, and Hooters of America, Inc. based in Atlanta, Georgia, and owned by the private investment firm Nord Bay Capital. The Hooters name is a double entendre referring to both a North American slang term for women's breasts and the logo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina</span> Tex-Mex restaurant franchise

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is a chain of Tex-Mex food casual dining restaurants located in the United States and South Korea. The chain and brand name is owned by Argonne Capital Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucky Club Casino and Hotel</span>

Lucky Club Casino and Hotel is a casino and 118-room hotel located on 6.1 acres (2.5 ha) in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The casino is owned and operated by Fifth Street Gaming.

Coby Garrett Brooks is the former president and CEO of Hooters, Inc. and Naturally Fresh, Inc. Brooks was promoted to these positions in 2003, three years before the death of his father, Hooters chairman Robert H. Brooks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery</span> Celtic-themed sports bar and restaurant chain in the United States.

Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery is a modern Scottish-Irish-themed sports pub and franchisor-type restaurant chain in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breastaurant</span> Restaurant that employs skimpily-dressed waitresses

A breastaurant is a restaurant that requires female waiting staff to be skimpily-dressed. The term dates from the early 1990s, after restaurant chain Hooters opened in the United States. The format has since been adopted by other restaurants, including Redneck Heaven, Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, Twin Peaks, Ojos Locos, Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill, The WingHouse Bar & Grill and Bombshells Bar & Grill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twin Peaks (restaurant chain)</span> American chain of sports bars and restaurants

Twin Peaks is an American chain of sports bars and restaurants based in Lewisville, Texas, which has been described as an "ultimate sports lodge" and breastaurant along with similar chains. The chain is known for having its waitresses, primarily young women and typically referred to as "Twin Peaks Girls", dress in revealing uniforms that consist of cleavage- and midriff-revealing red plaid tops, as well as khaki shorts or denim short shorts. At other times, waitresses wear revealing seasonal or themed outfits. Restaurants are decorated in the theme of a wilderness lodge and serve a mix of American, Southwest and Southern cuisines as well as alcohol. The chain's slogan is "Eats. Drinks. Scenic Views."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pie Five</span> American restaurant chain

Pie Five Pizza is an American fast casual restaurant chain specializing in personal pizza. The brand is owned by Rave Restaurant Group, which also owns Pizza Inn. As of July 2021, Pie Five operates 33 restaurants with locations in the following states: Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molina's Cantina</span>

Molina's Cantina is a Tex-Mex restaurant chain in Houston, Texas. As of 2022, Molina's is the oldest still-operating Tex-Mex restaurant in Houston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill</span> Chain of sports bars and restaurants

Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill was a chain of sports bars and restaurants located in Texas. The restaurant chain was known for its scantily-clad waitresses, called "Bikini Babes", whose uniforms consist of its eponymous bikini tops, cowboy boots, and tight denim shorts. The chain was also known for trademarking the term "breastaurant" and purchasing a ghost town that was temporarily renamed "Bikinis, Texas". The chain ceased operations on December 23, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Pollo Loco (United States)</span> Restaurant chain

El Pollo Loco, Inc., is a restaurant chain based in the United States, specializing in Mexican-style grilled chicken. Restaurant service consists of: dine-in, take-out, with some locations offering drive through options. The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, and operates about 500 company-owned and franchised restaurants in the Southwestern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northland Properties</span>

Northland Properties Corporation is the parent company of multiple hotel chains, restaurants, sports teams, and Northland Asset Management Company. Northland was founded in 1963 and is owned by the Gaglardi family. Bob Gaglardi is the founder and chairman of the board and Tom Gaglardi is President of Northland Properties Corporation. Northland Properties is the largest privately held hospitality group in North America with properties spanning Canada, the United States, and the U.K. and Ireland. Their collective assets are valued at close to $8B.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redneck Heaven</span> Sports bar and restaurant chain in the United States

Redneck Heaven was a chain of sports bars and restaurants based in Lewisville, Texas, and with locations in several other Texas cities. The chain was known for its controversial promotions, Southern theme and scantily-clad waitresses. It was the subject of an MTV reality show and it was frequently categorized as a breastaurant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Muertos Brewing</span> Brewery in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Los Muertos Brewing is a brewery and restaurant with two locations in Puerto Vallarta, in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There is one location on Lázaro Cárdenas in Zona Romántica and another on Av. Francisco Villa.

References

  1. 1 2 Hiller, Mike (January 11, 2010). "New Restaurant Concept, Ojos Locos, to Debut in March". Escape Hatch Dallas. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Heid, Jason (September 2010). "Breakfast with D CEO: Randy Dewitt". D Magazine. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Berry, Monica (August 29, 2011). "Ojos Locos Sports Cantina: Believe Your Crazy Eyes; Those Happy Hours Prices Are Real". Dallas Observer. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  4. 1 2 Felps, Bruce (November 11, 2010). "Looking All Crazy". NBCDFW.com. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Best of Big D: Nightlife 2013". D Magazine. August 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  6. ↑ Romero, Simon (August 23, 2017). "Spanish Thrives in the U.S. Despite an English-Only Drive". New York Times. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  7. 1 2 Saldaña, Hector (February 14, 2013). "Pub Crawl: Ojos Locos Sports Cantina". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Braun Davison, Candace (July 29, 2016). "11 'Breastaurants' That Make Hooters Seem PG". Delish. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  9. ↑ Kwarteng, Tesia (March 31, 2011). "Ojos Locos brings some crazy to Fort Worth". The Shorthorn. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  10. ↑ "John Franke". Chefs for Farmers. 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Locations". Ojos Locos Sports Cantina. 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  12. ↑ Strauss, Karsten (June 17, 2015). "Twin Peaks Founder Randy Dewitt Talks Cold Beer, Hot Food, Biker Brawls And How He's Beating Hooters". Forbes. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  13. ↑ "About Us". Ojos Locos Sports Cantina. 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Ojos Locos Sports Cantina – Dallas, TX". Thrillist. June 12, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.