A James Beard-nominated chef has announced the closure of his short-lived seafood restaurant in San Antonio’s Deco District
Alex Paredes converted his former Tacopolis into El Fish Demon in late April. A July 7 social media post from the restaurant broke the news
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“We are now permanently closed,” a statement on the restaurant’s Instagram page read. “Thank you everyone for the opportunity to feed you.”
Paredes first caught national attention with his restaurant Carnitas Lonja along Roosevelt Avenue on the city’s South Side, which he opened in 2017 with a fierce commitment to long-simmered pork and handmade tortillas. He added a sister ceviche restaurant, Fish Lonja, to the property in 2019
After a couple years off the city’s restaurant radar, Paredes returned to top form with Tacopolis last July at 1604 Fredericksburg Road. During the restaurant’s short run, Tacopolis earned high praise, including from Express-News dining critic Mike Sutter, who lauded the beef birria, pork carnitas and lamb barbacoa
SIMPLY THE BEST:10 best (and worst) things Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in August
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At the time he transitioned Tacopolis into El Fish Demon, Paredes acknowledged the business was struggling
“I just wanted to get everybody informed of what‘s going on,” Paredes wrote in an Instagram post. “(The) taquería, it’s not really working for us right now. As you guys know, the prices are very, very high on meats.”
Fans were quick to offer support
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“I’m so sorry to hear this,” Instagram user katy.m.finch wrote. “Your food is incredible! That was a tricky location. Wishing you the best of luck!”
“So sad to see this,” luislealsa added. “Wish you all the best in whatever comes next for you Alex! Thanks for being a part of our community for the last several years. Hope it’s not the last we see of you!”
