A Mexican restaurant has opened in the former Go Bar location. Here's a look inside.

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read
Customers line up to order at Poquitos located in the former Go Bar on Prince Avenue.
Customers line up to order at Poquitos located in the former Go Bar on Prince Avenue.

Following the closure of Go Bar on New Year's Day 2020, the space at 195 Prince Avenue understandably remained vacant throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, nearly three years later, a Mexican restaurant has opened in the space, and the folks behind it have a history with another beloved eatery right next door.

Co-owner Pedro de Paz worked as the general manager for The Grit for over a decade up until its closure on Oct. 7 of last year. Originally from Mexico city, de Paz told the Banner-Herald that he and The Grit owner Jessica Greene had plans to open a new restaurant in the former Go Bar space as soon as it became available, but the timing had to be right.

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Quesabirrias at Athen's newest restaurant Poquitos located in the former Go Bar on Prince Avenue.
Quesabirrias at Athen's newest restaurant Poquitos located in the former Go Bar on Prince Avenue.

"I've always wanted like a small, more authentic Mexican restaurant," said de Paz. "I visit Mexico City twice a year, and Poquitos is a combination of my mom's cooking and other types of food I eat when I'm there."

The large outdoor patio area at Poquitos is an ideal compliment for the 13 beer varieties and 8 wines available on the beverage menu, which also includes iced tea, sodas, Jarritos and Mexican coffee. The counter service is similar to Cali-N-Tito's, where customers order and the food and drinks are brought out to the table, and Greene told the Banner-Herald that the indoor seating can accommodate around 30.

A Michelada Preparada topped with cucumber slices and shrimp and served with peanuts, salsa and tajin at Poquitos located in the former Go Bar on Prince Avenue.
A Michelada Preparada topped with cucumber slices and shrimp and served with peanuts, salsa and tajin at Poquitos located in the former Go Bar on Prince Avenue.

The menu contains several unique items including pozole (hot soup), a torta-like sandwich coated in red sauce, and quesabirrias, which are tacos filled with birria meat and melted cheese and served with dipping sauce. The drink menu also includes michelada, which is your choice of beer served with tomato juice, lime and other sauces, and another variation called cerveza preparada that is topped with shrimp and chamoy.

Poquitos is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Greene and de Paz said that the menu will continue to expand with more vegetarian options including a jackfruit tinga taco. Follow Poquitos on Instagram at instagram.com/poquitos_athensga.

Poquitos Mexican restaurant on Jan. 4, 2023 in Athens, Ga.
Poquitos Mexican restaurant on Jan. 4, 2023 in Athens, Ga.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Poquitos Mexican restaurant opens in former Go Bar location

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