Rosario’s cooking at its new location

A new chapter for a Southtown staple begins.

Lisa Wong, owner of the beloved restaurant Rosario’s, announced Monday that her flagship eatery’s new two-story location at 722 S. St. Mary’s St. would officially open to the public this past Friday.

“My entire team is so excited to be opening the doors to our forever home,” Wong said in a media release. “Our new location is warm and inviting with our signature Mexican contemporary style. We look forward to beginning a new era in our restaurant’s 30-year history and to serving our guests for many more generations to come.”

In 2020, Wong announced plans to relocate Rosario’s from its longtime home at 910 S. Alamo St. to a new building on the site of the former restaurant El Mirador.

Elements of the previous restaurant have been incorporated into the new 25,000square-foot Rosario’s, including the original King William Garden House, which has been rebadged as Casa Isabel in honor of Wong’s late mother.

The new space includes a 5,000-square-foot rooftop bar with expansive views of the downtown skyline and Hemisfair area. The rooftop bar is restricted to customers 23 and older, and will have a menu of small nibbles to enjoy while taking in the sights. The rooftop bar and a large outdoor patio are still in development and are expected to open this spring.

Internationally renowned street artist Inti Castro has contributed to the new space with a large mural on the back of the restaurant facing South Presa Street. Wong tapped local artists Carlos Cortes and Eva Marengo Sanchez to create outdoor sculptures and indoor paintings.

Rosario’s ComidaMex & Bar, 722 S. St. Mary’s St., 210-2231806, rosariossa.com. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Monday hours are expected in the spring.

Mike Sutter/Staff The new site of Lisa Wong’s Rosario’s, a Southtown favorite, is on South St. Mary’s Street.