A colorful new Mexican restaurant opened Jan. 3 in the Prado at Spring Creek in Bonita Springs. Habaneros Mexican Grill’s large freestanding building on the southern edge of the retail center formerly was Buffalo Wild Wings, Stevie Tomato’s Sports Page and Rib City but it had been vacant since Foxboro Sports Tavern closed its second location there in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic.  

Habaneros had intended to open last fall but its launch was delayed by permitting and hiring issues, said General Manager Enoc Gaza. “We were waiting a long time for employees,” he said.  

The Florida-based restaurant group has four other locations operated by a family with roots in Mexico. It opened Habaneros Mexican Grill on Pine Island Road in North Fort Myers in 2015 after operating at least three locations in the Orlando area for more than a decade. 

The restaurant serves traditional and modern Mexican food and popular Tex-Mex cuisine such as burritos, carne asada, carnitas, tacos and quesadillas. “The most popular items are enchiladas and fajita dishes. People ask the most for fajitas and enchiladas,” Gaza said. “Another favorite plate for people is the chimichanga plate.”  

The fried or soft chimichangas—flour tortillas filled with shredded beef or chicken—are served with a side of refried beans and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, cheese sauce and guacamole. The Fajitas Habaneros feature a sizzling skillet loaded with a mix of grilled chicken, chorizo, shrimp and steak with shredded cheese.  

The extensive menu includes other chicken, seafood and steak specialties as well as varieties of burritos, enchiladas, fajitas and vegetarian dishes. Choices include 15 combination dinners and selections for appetizers, soups, salads, desserts and à la carte items.An expansive horseshoe bar fills the back area of the local restaurant. The full bar has cocktails, wine and beer with many margarita options.  

The walls throughout the 6,510-square-foot venue are painted different bright colors and feature many TV screens, a holdover from its sports bar days. The more than 150 seats at tables and booths are upholstered with an eye-popping yellow while the backs are bright blue with a multi-colored floral fiesta.  

Habaneros, 25571 Chamber of Commerce Drive, Bay 2, is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.