Mexico comes to Corn Hill 

No matter where the owners of Paola's Burrito Place end up, the Rochester public seems to find them. The family's new venture, Mi Barrio Burrito Place (319 Exchange Boulevard), opened in June of this year. "It's a different location with a different name, but the same owners and the same great food," says Jesus Enriquez, son of current owner, Arturo Martinez.

Martinez opened Paola's at its original location at 1921 South Avenue in 2004. The family moved Paola's from South Avenue to Culver Road and were at that location for about six years before deciding to move to Texas. But after spending time in Texas, they realized that Rochester was where they wanted to be and found a location for Mi Barrio in Corn Hill.

Like Paola was, Mi Barrio is a family affair. Jesus and his brothers, along with his mother and father, worked at Paola's and now work at Mi Barrio. In fact, Jesus is in the process of taking ownership of Mi Barrio.Jesus is currently attending Monroe Community College and plans to take over the business from his father.

Everything is authentic and homemade at Mi Barrio, as it was at Paola's. "My dad's been in the kitchen for his whole life, cooking for over 35 years," says Jesus. Every morning, the family comes to the restaurant hours before it opens to make everything fresh for the day, like their house-made chorizo sausage. You can add the chorizo to a taco ($3.49), enchilada ($3.49), tostada ($3.49), or on top of nachos ($8.99). Mi Barrio has a solid selection of vegetarian plates as well.

The family came from Mexico at different times and sought out Rochester because of the city's smaller size of the city; Arturo had always wanted to open his own business and thought he could do that successfully here. When scouting for a location for Mi Barrio, they were also looking for something small and well-trafficked, and Corn Hill fit the bill.

They are currently working to obtain their liquor license and will begin to offer margaritas and other traditional Mexican drinks as well as a selection of Mexican beers. Outdoor seating will soon be available as well.

Mi Barrio Burrito Place is located at 319 Exchange Boulevard, and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 8 p.m. 271-3655; facebook.com/mibarrioburritoplace

Quick bites

Roux (688 Park Avenue) will host a Park Ave Fest Block Party on Saturday, August 5, from 12 to 9 p.m. Admission is $5 and that gets you dollar oysters, $5 punch and fish bowls, $6 cocktails, and live music. Local tarot reader Fayebriel C. Barrette will be available to read your fortune. Find the event on Facebook.

Boomtown Table and Rochester Brainery have collaborated on the Whistle Stop Series, progressive meal experiences that take place in a specific neighborhood. For the August 16 event, they will be featuring the East End in Rochester, with stops at Roc Brewing, Ox and Stone, 2 Vine, and Ugly Duck Coffee. There are two seatings, each featuring a local food host. The tour will take place on foot and will take about three hours. Tickets are $65 and available at rochesterbrainery.com.

Nosh (47 Russell Street) will host Not Your Father's Milkshake Part 2 in collaboration with Normal Supper & Cocktail on Sunday, August 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the menu: adult milkshakes like the Grasshopper, featuring vodka, mint chip ice cream, Fee Brothers chocolate bitters, mint chocolate brownie, mint syrup, and whipped cream. Chef Joe Zolnierowski from Nosh will be creating high-end festival-style food.

Closings

Another business bites the dust in College Town. Bar 145 (171 Celebration Drive) has closed its doors.

Chow Hound is a food and restaurant news column. Do you have a tip? Send it to [email protected].