Del Pez, Ugly Dumpling granted special-use permits to sell alcohol

Newark City Council on Monday granted special-use permits to two new restaurants seeking to serve alcohol: Del Pez Mexican Gastropub and the Ugly Dumpling.

Del Pez is slated to open in mid-October in The Grove at Newark. It will be the first business to open in the center portion of the renovated shopping center, fronting onto what will eventually be an extension of Delaware Avenue through the shopping center.

“We’re thrilled to bring our culinary experience back to the heart of the city, and we’re committed to creating a safe, vibrant, welcoming establishment that contributes positively to the community,” owner Javier Acuna said.

Acuna is no stranger to Newark, having opened his first restaurant, Santa Fe Mexican Grill, on Main Street 18 years ago. He also runs Mi Ranchito Mexican Food Market on North Chapel Street, La Taqueria in Wilmington and Savanna Salad Bowls & Sandwiches in Wilmington.

The Del Pez concept started on Main Street, but the restaurant moved a larger location on the Wilmington Riverfront. A second Del Pez opened recently in Glen Mills, Pa.

Acuna said he’s excited to bring the restaurant back to Newark.

“The city has always been great to us,” he said. “We couldn’t choose a better place for the third Del Pez.”

Del Pez, which will have 162 seats, a 16-seat bar and a 12-seat patio, markets itself as offering a modern take on Mexican food and pub fare. The menu includes a variety of tacos, fajitas and entrees such as chimichurri salmon, shrimp & spinach enchiladas and short rib chimichangas.

Meanwhile, the Ugly Dumpling will open soon in the former Panera Bread location on Main Street.

The chain restaurant revolves around Xiao Long Bao, a Chinese soup dumpling filled with minced pork or other ingredients. The restaurant promises a modern take on the traditional Shanghai street food.

The wide-ranging menu also includes Dim Sum, wonton soup and dishes that might be more familiar to an American audience, such as fried rice, orange chicken and stir-fry.

There are currently three Ugly Dumpling restaurants open in New Jersey and Virginia, with 13 more in the pipeline.

“Residents will come to love our full menu based on the rich history of family cookbooks of old and modern Chinese cuisine, including authentic, made-to-order soup dumplings, bao and more,” Emery Abdel-Latif, a lawyer for the restaurant, said. “We are dedicated to reimagining those most favored local recipes by curating new, exciting and playful experiences for our diners.”