From the left, Sergio Hernandez, Helen Wanca of Advantage Realty, and Perdo Hernandez after the sale of the Hardee's site in Antigo for a new Mexican restaurant. |
Old Hardee's will become new authentic Mexican restaurant here Nov. 24, 2009 An interesting and exciting Antigo construction project got started this morning.
The Hernandez family, who are serving classic Mexican food in restaurants from Texas to Chicago, have selected Antigo as their next expansion site — and it will be in the former Hardee’s in the 700 block of Superior Street.
At a meeting just after the paperwork had been signed to purchase the property from the Eau Claire-based Doro Corporation, Pedro Hernandez and his son, Sergio, and their friend and real estate representative, Helen Wanca of Advantage Real Estate, were looking over what has just been bought and discussing plans for their new Antigo site — with great excitement.
The Hernandez team and Wanca explained that the family has branched out over the past several decades to develop the restaurants with Pedro, the patriarch, at the head. In fact, he is in Antigo now meeting with contractors and other key people needed to change a burger and beef emporium into a home for authentic food from Mexico with a family-friendly atmosphere.
“They really did their homework,” Wanca explained.
She said the family toured northern Wisconsin, stopped at other Mexican-themed restaurants, eyed facilities and what was offered in the communities along the way.
“They decided Antigo was the place they wanted to be,” she said.
Wanca said that the family toured the schools, obviously checked out the competition and did just about everything they could to make a realistic judgment of the community.
“They liked what they found here,” Wanca said, “including the idled Hardee’s building right in the center of downtown.”
She suggested that there is a tremendous market out there.
Sergio explained that in the late 70s his father emigrated from Jalisco, Mexico.
He said his father was like many immigrants, working long and hard hours at a factory until he decided to follow his American dream. In 1987, he finally opened his own business, with the help of his family.
Sergio said his father opened the door to his first small taqueria in the Hermosa community in the northwest side of the city of Chicago. The taqueria only sat about 15 people with about four tables and 15 chairs and chose the Hermosa community because the factory where he worked was located about a mile from the location.
Knowing the neighborhood, he knew there was a great need for delicious, authentic Mexican food.
“Our father decided to name the taquería after a town of his state of origin, Poncitlan, Jalisco,” he said.
Sergio explained that being in a foreign country, his father understood how others like himself, miss their home cooked meals. The idea behind all his dishes is to keep the traditional Mexican flavors alive. Bringing his traditions to a mainly Puerto Rican community was a challenge that proved to him that his dream was finally accomplished.
By 1996, Taquería Poncitlan had earned a great reputation with its customers which called for a larger location. Luckily, Pedro found a location nearby to continue the culinary tradition.
“Our food is prepared daily to keep the best flavors,” Sergio said.
They are excited about offering their unique brand of hospitality and food to the people of Antigo, Langlade County and all of northern Wisconsin from the Superior Street restaurant.
“We work in a family environment where you can always count on getting the best service ... you will always be treated like family because we welcome you into our home,” Sergio stressed.
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