New Mexican Restaurant Opens in Perham, Bringing Full Menu

El Vallartas Mexican Grill opened in Perham this month, setting up at 43869 Fort Thunder Road and drawing a strong community turnout on opening day. The family run business is owned by Sergio Barajas and his daughter Cristal, and operates daily with hours from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. To go orders can be made by calling 218-346-1005.

The restaurant offers what its owners describe as hundreds of items on the daily menu, along with daily lunch and dinner specials. The Perham location is the only spot in the family’s group of restaurants that will serve pozole and ceviche. Popular selections noted in reporting include the Tequilla burrito, and beverages such as horchata and freshly made margaritas. A small attached market, La Rancherita Mexican Market, sells Mexican grocery items on site, bringing supermarket style specialty goods closer to the local community.

The Perham opening followed delays caused by interior renovation work and licensing requirements. Owners remodeled the dining room and kitchen, and brought in many booths and tables that were hand crafted in Mexico. Staff worked through some initial operational issues during early days of service, including credit card swipe problems, as the team adjusted equipment and systems.

For Otter Tail County residents, the arrival of El Vallartas fills multiple needs. Expanded dining choices can strengthen the local hospitality sector and capture spending that might otherwise go to larger towns or regional corridors. The attached market provides access to specialty groceries that can reduce travel time for households seeking specific ingredients. For the lakes area economy, a restaurant open for both lunch and dinner every day of the week increases options for visitors and seasonal residents, a small but tangible boost to local commerce during both weekdays and weekends.

The opening also illustrates common challenges for small food businesses. Renovation timelines and licensing processes delayed the launch, underscoring the permits and inspections that community leaders and entrepreneurs must navigate. Early technical problems with payment systems show the operational learning curve that new restaurants face when scaling service and menu complexity.

If the initial community turnout persists, the Perham El Vallartas could become a regular dining destination for area residents and visitors. For now the restaurant and its market offer increased choice and convenience, while providing a reminder that local permitting, reliable systems, and customer service are key determinants of small business success in Otter Tail County.