Backers of more than 20 popular vibe-y dining spots in Palm Beach County open new Mexican food restaurant in West Palm Beach.
Nicole Danna| Special to the Palm Beach Post
A new Mexican-influenced restaurant with a crazy daylong deal on margaritas and a West Coast vibe has opened next door to a Palm Beach County artist collective known as The Peach.
In May, El Segundo quietly welcomed diners at 3950 Georgia Ave. in West Palm Beach. The latest establishment from Sub-Culture Group founder Rodney Mayo and Kapow! Noodle Bar founder Vaughan Dugan, the duo came together to breathe new life into the property's standalone restaurant space formerly occupied by Troy's BBQ.
For those diners who visited Troy's last summer, rest assured: the indoor dining space and bar will now have air conditioning.
El Segundo Mexican restaurant: Come for the 'Cowboy cooking' stay for the art in West Palm Beach
Mayo, who founded Sub-Culture Group over three decades ago, is the creative force behind a collection of more than 20 establishments that span Miami to Jupiter, from divey nightclubs to cozy coffee shops.
Among them, The Peach stands as a passion project of sorts for Mayo, who had a longstanding vision to create an artists' enclave in West Palm Beach. He purchased the Southwest neighborhood property in 2017, transforming a former auto repair shop into a warehouse-style studio and gallery.
"The idea was to offer studio and gallery space that is free and open to anyone in the community as long as the work they do is art related," says Mayo. "We want people to come to The Peach to see the artists, and stay for a while."
The best way to get them to stay? Tacos and margaritas, of course.
Tacos, margaritas and more on menu at new El Segundo restaurant
The property is currently home to six artist studios and a large communal gallery space. Throughout the month, the collective hosts a variety of activities including weekly art exhibits, painting classes, creative meetups, live music, and a monthly evening art walk where local artists can sell and display their work.
When The Peach opened in September 2021, Mayo partnered with Anthony Barber to open a West Palm Palm Beach outpost of Boynton Beach-based Troy's BBQ. The restaurant opened in mid-2021, and closed last July.
With El Segundo, Mayo and Dugan say their most recent addition brings a refreshing rebrand to the quaint indoor/outdoor space nestled within the historic confines of an 1870's carriage house.
According to local artist and Peach collective manager Craig McInnis, El Segundo — inspired by the taco truck at Mayo's Voltaire's Lair in downtown West Palm Beach — is exactly what The Peach needed.
"In just a few short months, El Segundo has already proven to bring the kind of energy we always hoped to see here," said McInnis. "Before it felt like there was an invisible force field between the two buildings. Now, people are genuinely curious about the artists and willing to explore."
Check out the artist vibe, good food off West Palm Beach's Georgia Ave.
The restaurant's open-air patio now beckons alfresco diners with a pop of color, hemmed by brightly-hued surfboards and a rainbow of umbrellas strung above the open seating area. Inside, an homage to West Coast car culture provides a laid-back vibe, from the framed photos of vintage vehicles, the 90's hip-hop lyrics painted along the exposed wooden wall boards, and the music playing from the speakers.
Rather than Tex-Mex, Dugan describes the El Segundo menu as "cowboy cooking," a nod to the large outdoor smoker — a vestige of Troy's BBQ — used to prepare many of the dishes main ingredients.
Dishes go the usual route of shareable small starters, tacos, and a handful of entrée-style dishes priced affordably between $5-$17. Specialty items range from mole-smothered smoked chicken wings, a pimento cheese and elote dip gussied up with garlic confit, or a Colombian-style hot dog complete with all the flavorful fixings.
The tacos, available a la carte for $5-$6.50, are the heart of the menu. Served on house-made corn tortillas, they include brisket burnt ends, Cali-style fish, roasted squash blossom, a traditional al pastor, and the "El Big Mac," an open-faced single-patty wagyu cheeseburger topped with secret sauce, lettuce, and diced pickles and onions served atop a single sesame seed bun.
New Mexican restaurant, El Segundo, offers budget boosting deals for teachers, margarita lovers
Behind the bar, guests can opt to pair their meal with a curated selection of tequila and mezcal alongside Mexican beers and a short list of craft co*cktails. A happy hour, offered Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., offers Pacifico beer and tacos for $3 apiece. (El Segundo and both Kapow! Noodle Bar locations will also offer teachers half-priced drinks and 25% off food during lunch hours all summer).
El Segundo's best deal, however, is its "Classico" margarita. The simple recipe combines fresh-squeezed lime juice with Cointreau, agave, and Hornitos blanco tequila, available for just $5 all day, every day.
Moving forward, Mayo says he plans to bring more foot traffic to the neighborhood with his recent purchase of 501 Roseland Drive. Located one block north of The Peach, two buildings span over 20,0000 square-feet that will offer additional studio and gallery space, and plenty of room for food truck gatherings.
"It fits my vision of creating a walkable experience, something I hope will foster and support the local art community in West Palm Beach," sums up Mayo.
"This is such a unique destination, and we're so grateful for the artists, and the artists are happy to see our food help make this a destination with great energy," adds Dugan. "We're really excited to be part of this next stage of The Peach, and the opportunity for it to become a great new hangout spot for artists and locals alike."
El Segundo Mexican restaurant in West Palm
Location: 3950 Georgia Ave. in West Palm Beach
Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. on weekdays, noon to 10 p.m. on weekends
Info: 561- 469-8597
Nicole Danna is a journalist atThe Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network.You can reach her at nicoleadanna@gmail.com. Help support our journalism.Subscribe today.
