New “Warrior Grill” Opens

By John Larson

SOCORRO – After two months cleaning and renovating the building at the corner of California and Otero, Carlos and Salina Lopez amd Stephen Rosas opened the doors to their new restaurant, the Warrior Grill, Wednesday.
“We think of it more as kind of an old-fashioned diner, because that was the concept we had in the beginning,” Carlos said. “Actually we started out with an idea for a place that had ice cream and shakes. Something we’ve been talking about for a long time, what we wanted to have for people. That developed into a diner look and a menu that tries to cover the basics.
“We wanted a place the kids could come to, and of course the older crowd who graduated from Socorro High, or have kids or grandkids that play sports.”
Carlos said his cousin, Rosas, has had several years experience in the restaurant business and took part in the planning.
“He was very helpful in helping us in what we wanted to do, and we are grateful to have his experience in getting it going,” Carlos said.

The Lopez’s spent the last two months cleaning the kitchen and renovating the dining area. Socorro High School memorabilia and photographs decorate the walls.
“We took our time to make sure everything was exactly what we wanted and what was needed in the renovation,” Carlos said. “My parents Raymond and Gracie Rosas, and my brother Jon Rosas and his wife Tita put in a lot of work. It’s really a family affair.”
The Warrior Grill’s menu includes hamburgers, chili dogs, fried chicken, sandwiches, enchiladas and Frito pie, among other items.
“People like our Slam Dunk Dog,” Salina said. “It’s a big hot dog with red or green chile, wrapped in tortilla and deep fried.”
Since the Lopez’s first idea was ice cream, the Warrior Grill serves Dreyers hard ice cream desert items and milk shakes.
Carlos said all ingredients are fresh and locally purchased. “It’s important for us to buy locally, and keep the money in Socorro.”
The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., which means they serve breakfast also, offering traditional items such as eggs and bacon, pancakes, biscuits and gravy and, of course, breakfast burritos and huevos rancheros.
“Fresh food and a friendly atmosphere,” he said. “That’s what we are going for.”
The Warrior Grill is located at 400 California Street, across Otero from John Brooks Supermart.

Pictured (from left): Carlos and Salina Lopez, and Stephen Rosas.

Photo by John Larson

New “Warrior Grill” Opens