After years of people posting on social media and creating digital petitions asking to bring a build-your-own fast-casual Mexican chain to Lake Charles, a small business following that model has opened.
On Sunday, Pica Rico Fresh Mex, a new fast-casual dining experience, held a soft opening at 2825 Country Club Rd. in Lake Charles. They are now open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Pica Rico co-owner Thaddeus Dugas said he does not have a date set for a grand opening, since they are still in the “learning stage.”
“We’re working on the drive-through (and) we’re getting all of the waiter stuff situated,” Dugas said. “I think as soon as we get those things up and running, then we can really determine what date we’re going to do a grand opening because that’s going to be a critical thing to keep the, you know, keep the inside traffic down.”
Dugas said that in the first four days of being open, Pica Rico has constantly had lines, and the same customers visit multiple times daily.
The restaurant serves build-your-own burritos, tacos, nachos and bowls with menu options that include veggies, Mexican brisket, Pica Rico chicken, steak, carnitas and tofu. There is also white rice, Mexican rice, pinto beans, black beans and 20 different topping options.
“We’re trying to provide a great base, and then like some people like things really spicy, so we have a spicy sauce,” Dugas said. “But we can’t make the food really spicy because most people not going to like just overly spicy food.”
Dugas said that the restaurant is about more than just food.
“The most important thing is seeing everybody just sitting together and getting along,” Dugas said. “From different cultures, different parts of the world, different parts of town and everybody is well behaved, and it’s nothing to complain about. To me, it’s a blessing to see that; you never see that.”
Although Lake Charles has been without a fast-casual build-your-own Mexican restaurant, a place caled Spicy Rico launched in Sulphur earlier this year.
Despite similar names, Dugas said that the two are not at all connected.
“It’s a totally different thing … We have different food suppliers. We have different things ….” Dugas said. “It’s the same kind of concept, but … I just suggest people just go into the places, and they can make the judgment.”
While Pica Rico is not a chain, Dugas said the goal is to ideally open additional locations.
“The plan is to do them in different places and the same type of areas, just good, clean locations,” Dugas said. “Just easy access locations, not in the middle of nowhere. We won’t put them anywhere where people won’t feel safe to go, or things like that.”
Dining and Cooking