Co-owner of Happy Dog, Momocho Opening Bar, Restaurant in Lakewood

The man who brought the popular Momocho restaurant to Ohio City and the Happy Dog to the Gordon Square Arts District is bringing his talent to Detroit Avenue in Lakewood. 

Eric Williams is working on plans to open El Carnicero in the now-shuttered McCarthy's Ale House at 16918 Detroit Avenue.

It’s expected to open in July. 

“It’s time for me to do something else, put my chef hat back on and do some different things that we don’t do at Momocho,” Williams added.

He said that El Carnicero will be a full-service restaurant serving up tapas-style dishes, including tamales and antojitos. 

In addition, he’s also got plans to open a tequila bar — El Chango Tequileria — next door.

Right now, the renovation of the space is under way. 

“We’ve been in there for two weeks, in a mass-cleaning, purge, destruction phase,” Williams said.

In the coming weeks, tradesman will begin installing cabinetry and kitchen equipment and getting the place ready to open.

“I love what I do at Momocho, but because of the size of the space we’re very limited on a number of things,” Williams said.

“I say ‘no’ to reservations all the time at Momocho. At this bigger location, I can accommodate more.

“We’re going to capitalize on that at El Carnicero.”

There’s plenty more space at the new spot — think 3,500 square feet — enough for a private dining room, 35 bar seats and 80 dining room seats. 

There are already a few Latin-influenced menus in town — including Barroco Grill, Cozumel and the new Barrio restaurant slated to open on Madison Avenue in the space most-recently occupied by the Screaming Rooster.

(Editor's note: We should also include Taco Tonto's and El Tango Taqueria) 

“I don’t look at it as competition, I look at it as good for Lakewood,” said Williams.