Two New Restaurants Will Bring Mexican Street Food and Moules Frites to Alexandria

Three years after adding pub-y Mason Social to the local dining mix, a trio of restaurateurs is branching out into Mexican street food and steamed mussels at two new neighborhood restaurants.

The twin ventures in the works from Common Plate Hospitality (CPH) co-founders Chad Sparrow, Justin Sparrow, and Larry Walston and real estate firm Asana Partners include taco haven Urbano 116 (116 King Street, Alexandria, Va.) and moules frites purveyor Augie’s (1106 King Street).

Per a press release, Chad Sparrow is working with consulting chef Alam Mendez Florian, a Mexican native and Pasillo de Humo alum, on an opening menu featuring zesty quesadillas, assorted tacos, and mole-soaked enchiladas. Exposed brick and steel will play a part in the design scheme, while the kitchen will make a point of cranking out fresh corn tortillas.

Del Ray Pizzeria alum Eric Reid will be head chef at beer-friendly Augie’s. Named for St. Augustine, the patron saint of brewers, the new restaurant is projected to serve mussel dishes, Belgian waffles, and imported beers. CPH hasn’t set an official opening date for Augie’s, but does plan to unveil a pop-version of the restaurant on the adjoining patio some time in July.

Common Plate Hospitality [Official rendering]

Urbano 116 is currently scheduled to open in December 2018.

Scroll down to see the tentative menu for Urbano 116:

• My First Trip to Mexico City Made Me Never Want to Leave [E]
• Mason Jars Everywhere in the Design of Mason Social [EDC]