GENESEE TWP, MI — A small sign on the door outside Papa Al’s Mexican American Restaurant captures the heart of the new venture: Family Owned & Operated.
Megan and Gabriella Amaya, two of owner Alfonso Amaya’s daughters, looked through papers and worked on putting the finishing touches for the restaurant’s soft opening.
After purchasing the building that formerly housed Wah Nam at 4492 Richfield Road in Genesee Township, Papa Al’s is set to hold its grand opening on Sunday, Oct. 19.
“He kind of talked about this our whole life. His whole dream was, ‘I’m going to open a restaurant,’” said Megan Amaya.
Though he couldn’t do so while working for 48 years at General Motors, he did so upon his retirement.
“He wanted to make sure that we’re OK after he passes away, wanted to start a family business for us, so I think that’s pretty cool,” Megan Amaya said.
It has brought the girls closer together in the process.
“We’ve all been hanging out a lot more ever since, so that’s cool too,” said Gabriella Amaya, who designed the restaurant’s menu.
What’s featured on the menu was a collective effort.
“We kind of all threw out ideas and then we asked some people on Facebook what they wanted to see on our menu, so we added a few things for them,” she said.
Items range from tamales and soups including menudo and pozole to cheeseburgers, chicken tenders and wraps.
“There are not too many American things, but just a few because not everybody likes Mexican food,” Megan Amaya said.
“Our cousin that’s cooking for us was really excited about the soups,” Gabriella Amaya said with a smile and laugh.
The restaurant will also offer tamales — mild, medium, and hot — tostadas, flautas, quesadillas, and a variety of tacos including barbacoa, chicken, beef, fish and birria.
Several breakfast dishes occupy the menu from omelets to French toast, biscuits and gravy, a handful of breakfast burritos, migas, and chorizo and eggs.
Alfonso Amaya previously credited his parents, Suzana and Faustino Amaya, as the inspiration for many of the recipes.
“My mom and dad were really good cooks,” he said in a previous Flint Journal article.
Hours for Papa Al’s will start from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week and may be adjusted depending on what times are busiest.
“We’re excited to be opening and to see everybody,” Alfonso Amaya said.
Papa Al’s Facebook page can be found here.
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Dining and Cooking