The Tipsy Cow Steakhouse has fallen.
José and Dolores Martinez along with their son Fernando present the MexiCali Bar and Grill to California.
Former owner Jordan Allen sold his steakhouse to the Martinez family in late February. José and Delores will act as the restaurant's owners while Fernando will manage the business for his parents.
The family's decision to establish a restaurant comes after years of residency, with the Martinez family wanting to give back to the community that's been so welcoming to them.
"I've been here for, I'd say 30 years. And my dad, he's always been a businessman and stuff like that," Fernando Martinez said. "He's always wanted that, you know, to own his own restaurant and when this came up for sale he's like, 'Well, let's give it a try.' He wants to serve the community since he's been here for 30 years also."
Fernando's assistant Katie Minard told the Democrat he was a frequent customer at The Tipsy Cow. After frequent visits he built a strong relationship with Allen.
Allen, a developer and California native, established The Tipsy Cow in 2022 as a way to revitalize the city's historic district. In a previous Democrat article, Allen said after renovating, restoring and owning several properties his next move would be making one of his lifelong dreams come true -- opening his own restaurant.
However, after two years, Allen is looking to take on his next adventure. Minard explained with Allen's prolific career as a developer he thought it would be best to pass the reins onto someone else.
She explained Fernando and his family are fortunate he had a good relationship with Allen, Minard and her sister Halle Batican, who helped manage The Tipsy Cow.
"It's going to be a really smooth transition," Minard said. "I think, because as far on the back end, and the kitchen and the operations because everything's staying the same for the most part. They bought it 'as is' with everything. The POS system is going to be the same, the kitchen's going to be the same. Mainly, they're just going to have a new menu. They're going to add improvements where needed as far as service and employees.
"They plan on making it a better overall experience for customers and the community," Minard continued. "We're going to start with bar menu and a dinner menu. We plan on being open seven days a week and we will serve food until 1 a.m. every single day."
The MexiCali's bar menu will consist of street tacos and other Mexican cuisine. It will also be served alongside American bar food. Minard also pointed out the restaurant will still serve steaks and premium sides. Much of the original menu will still be intact and served to customers.
When asked what motivated him to help his family open up the MexiCali Bar and Grill, Minard jokingly prodded Hernandez.
"Be honest. A place for him and his friends to meet up and drink," Minard laughed. "Isn't that right? To have a place in California where people can meet and drink and have a good time and have reliable service until 1 a.m. I mean that's not something that California offers."
Fernando Hernandez promises to never close early. He wants to offer people enough time to meet up or order food no matter how late. Currently the business is waiting on resale license before it reopens. In the meantime, Hernandez plans to revamp.
José, Delores and Fernando want California residents to know that everything they enjoyed about the The Tipsy Cow is still present. However, they aim to create their own style and atmosphere as the family enters this new chapter in their lives.
"There's going to be a little bit of everything for everybody," Hernandez said speaking for his father. "We hope everybody likes it. You want to serve the community. He said everybody's going to be welcome here."